International Commission on Stratigraphy

The International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), sometimes called the International Stratigraphic Commission, is a scientific group that works on stratigraphical, geological, and geochronological topics around the world.

It is the biggest group under the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The ICS is a permanent working subcommittee, which meets more often than the big meetings the IUGS has every four years, when it meets as a membership of the whole.

The ICS helps set the official timeline of Earth's history. They decide how to divide geological time, which helps scientists all over the world understand and compare rock layers and fossils. This work is important for subjects like archaeology, paleontology, and oil exploration, making the ICS very important for science around the world.

Aims

One of the main goals of the International Commission on Stratigraphy is to create a global geologic time scale. This project began in 1974. It helps scientists compare fossils and rock layers from different parts of the world. They use special points in the rock record, called Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Points, to set clear standards for dating the Earth’s history. These points are found in sections of rock or core samples that scientists can study everywhere.

This work makes it easier for paleontological and geobiological research by providing consistent benchmarks in the rock record.

Methodology

The International Commission on Stratigraphy defines Global Standard Stratigraphic Ages (GSSAs). They use methods from the physical sciences, like magnetic alignment and radiological criteria, to set important points in time. The ICS encourages discussions among Earth scientists in areas such as paleontology, geology, geobiology, and chronostratigraphy.

The ICS has created many subcommittee groups. These groups work in specific areas. They do fieldwork and organize meetings to share and coordinate research.

Publications

The International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) makes important reports and rules. These are collected in the International Stratigraphic Chart. The chart is updated after each ICS meeting and shared before the next big meeting of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). The IUGS must approve these updates, but scientists often use them right away.

One example is a discussion in 2009 about the start of the Quaternary Period. After careful thought, it was officially added as a geological unit in June 2009, with its beginning marked at a place in Sicily, Italy. The ICS also offers the chart online in easy-to-use formats for scientists around the world.

Logo

The logo of the International Commission on Stratigraphy looks like the Chinese character for "mountain", 山. This symbol shows the group's work on studying Earth's layers and history.