Stratigraphy; traditional and modern concepts

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Abstract
Traditional stratigraphic units consist of one or more contemporaneous lithologic and faunal facies within a specific layer of rock. Each layer is local and regional in extent and is separated from other layers by real time-significant boundaries which are either planes of contemporaneity or planes of unconformity. Where the boundaries are indistinct, faunas characteristic of the specific layer, and the stratigraphic succession in general, are used to identify the stratigraphic unit. Because of its regional attributes the stratigraphic unit serves as a correlation unit, as well as being the basic unit for local and regional stratigraphic subdivision and terminology. Zone, stage, series, and system are such units which informally may be termed stratigraphic formations having regional time-significance. Accusation by supporters of the American Stratigraphic Commission that geologists fail "to exclude concepts of time from consideration of the objective data on which alone properly defined rock units are differentiated," is not applicable to concepts of traditional stratigraphy. This accusation applies only to modern concepts of litho-, bio-, and chrono- stratigraphy, which, while erroneously considered to be stratigraphic, more correctly are regarded as prestratigraphic procedures and concepts. Modern stratigraphic terms do not correspond with traditional concepts because litho- and biostratigraphy do not discriminate between distinct stratal superposition and different transgressive lithologic facies, or between stratigraphic paleontology and facies fossils. This failure has led to misconceptions in chronostratigraphy and to development of unrealistic and inadequate terms, as well as to misapplication of traditional terms. Consequently, modern concept and terms are arbitrary and of questionable utility except in prestratigraphic procedures.

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