Stratigraphic schemes
Stratigraphic schemes for the Phanerozoic are included in the database provided to new users of StrataBugs from v1.8 onwards. These schemes, and others, are also available to existing users as downloadable files from this page. They have been constructed using published boundary ages and colours.
Click on the title to view the scheme file contents (if in DEX, XML or SBG format). Right-click and use "Save Link/Target As…" to download the scheme files onto your computer. Read schemes into your database by pressing the Read ... button in the stratigraphic schemes dialog of the Schemes & Interpretations module, and press the Add Scheme button once the file has been read. (for the BP GNATTS scheme, use Organiser).
This is an encoding of the Gradstein at. al. publication of 2020 published end 2020/beginning 2021. Most boundaries have small revisions compared to GTS2016 and GTS2012. Click here for a PDF chart of this file plotted from StrataBugs. Note that the substages in the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic are informal only and the subdivisions are just for illustration, so feel free to edit those yourself or suggest changes. The colours have been reviewed and revised according to the RBG codes indicated.
This is an encoding of the scheme published here:
Bergen, J. A., Truax III, S., de Kaenel, E., Blair, S. A., Browning, E., Lundquist, J., Boesiger, T. M., Bolivar, M. & Clark, K. (2019). BP Gulf of Mexico Neogene Astronomically-Tuned Time Scale (BP GNATTS). GSA Bulletin, 131 (11-12): 1871-1888.
GSA Bulletin; November/December 2019; v. 131; no. 11/12; p. 1871–1888; https://doi.org/10.1130/B35062.1; 7 figures; 7 tables; Data Repository item 2018407; published online 16 April 2019.
Data are available at http:// www .geosociety .org /datarepository /2018 or by request to editing@ geosociety .org.
click here for a PDF chart.
The Geologic Time Scale 2016 (or click here for XML version for StrataBugs 2.0, which does not support the boundary confidence)
This is a revised version of the GTS2012 scheme with 27 modified stage boundaries. In addition the scheme is more complete than the StrataBugs version of the 2012 scheme for the following reasons:
1. Sub-epochs have been included for the Cenozoic
2. Sub-ages have been added for some periods in the Mesozoic and Paleozoic
3. For use in StrataBugs 2.1, boundary uncertainty (confident, probable, possible) is shown.
4. More precise dates (to 2 decimal places, where known) are shown.
The Geologic Time Scale 2016 (Boreal)
This is a revised version of the GTS2016 scheme with N. Sea/Sub Boreal stage boundaries.
The Geologic Time Scale 2012 (right-click the link and Save As..., or click on link to browse scheme)
An updated version of the Gradstein et al. Geologic Time Scale 2008.
This is available only as an XML file for import into StrataBugs v2. The Boundary ages are taken from Gradstein, Ogg, Schmitz & Ogg, 2012. The colours are the same colours as used in the 2008 time scale. You can use this scheme in conjunction with the recalibration tool to create new biozonation schemes and composite standards, based on the new chronostratigraphic ages. You can reassign well data to the new schemes using the "Show usage" button on the Schemes window.
SEPM Global sequences (right-click the link and Save As...)
Global T/R cycles, calibrated to the GTS 2012 timescale and using a similar colour scheme.
SEPM Global sequences 2016 (right-click the link and Save As...)
Global T/R cycles, calibrated to the GTS 2016 timescale and using a similar colour scheme.
Martini (1971) (right-click the link and Save As...)
Calcareous Nannofossil zonation for the Neogene and Paleogene, calibrated to the GTS 2012 timescale and using a similar colour scheme.
Roth (1978) (right-click the link and Save As...)
Calcareous Nannofossil zonation for the Cretaceous, calibrated to the GTS 2012 timescale and using a similar colour scheme. This could be imported into a combined scheme with the above.
Okada and Bukry (1980) (right-click the link and Save As...)
Calcareous Nannofossil zonation for the Neogene through to Cretaceous, calibrated to the GTS 2012 timescale and using a similar colour scheme.
Sub-Boreal Ammonites scaled to GTS2016 timescale (right-click the link and Save As...)
Hardenbol et al. 1998 (right-click the link and Save As...)
The Geologic Time Scale 2004 (Gradstein et al.)
An updated version of the Gradstein et al. Geologic Time Scale 2004.
The same numerical time scale is used as in GTS2004 for the majority of stage boundaries but there are a number of exceptions. Colours comply with the Colour code according to the Commission de la Carte Geologigique du Monde (CCGM) and differ from those published for the GTS2004. Revised boundary ages, stage names and colours are as published here.
If you want to use this scheme with your existing chronostratigraphic records, import the scheme and then use Organiser to reassign chronostratigraphic units. (You can find this utility in Tools | IGD Schemes -> then using the Show Usage button).
Harland et al. 1989 (wall chart)
Boundary ages are taken from Harland et al., 1989). Colours are based on those used in the wall chart published as a companion to this book. No definitions of the original colours used were available so they were matched as closely as possible by scanning the wall chart and measuring the RGB values in Paintshop Pro 7.04. A complete listing of these colour definitions is in this file.
We have added some familiar equivalent terms such as Early, Middle and Late Eocene to the scheme where we felt it would benefit StrataBugs users.
The Harland et al. scheme provided in earlier versions of StrataBugs was divided into three parts (Tertiary/Mesozoic, Upper Palaeozoic, Lower Palaeozoic). Download to update each of these partial Harland schemes with colour fill or to add a new complete coloured scheme for the entire Phanerozoic to your database.
If you update your existing schemes links between wells and schemes will be maintained. If you add the new scheme, existing data will be unchanged, and you will have the option of using the new scheme or your original schemes. We may in future provide a migration tool for data to be switched between schemes.
International Commission on Stratigraphy 2003 (CGMW)
All data are from www.stratigraphy.org. Colours are according to the Commission for the Geological Map of the World. Boundary ages are from Gradstein, Ogg, Smith et al. (CUP, 2004).
International Commission on Stratigraphy 2003 (USGS)
All data are from www.stratigraphy.org. Colours are according to the United States Geological Survey. Boundary ages are from Gradstein, Ogg, Smith et al. (CUP, 2004).
AGSO (USGS)
All data are from An Australian Phanerozoic Timescale, 1996 Young & Laurie (Eds) OUP. There are no defined colours.