GSSP

The Global Stratigraphic Section and Point (GSSP) is a globally standardized system for referring to specific stratigraphic boundaries in the Earth's history. It was developed to provide a universally recognized framework for identifying and correlating rock layers across the globe.

Established in 1977 by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), the GSSP is a set of globally coordinated points and layers that mark specific divisions between different geological time periods. These points are chosen based on a combination of factors, including their floating characteristics, degree of distinctness, duration, and global significance.

The process of designating a new GSSP involves several stages, including research, outreach, and consensus building within the global stratigraphic community. A team of international experts thoroughly investigates a proposed location, collecting and analyzing relevant data before making a formal recommendation to the ICS.

Each GSSP is assigned a unique, globally valid correlate, from GSSP-A to GSSP-Z, in the commissioned list. A specimen collected from the GSSP has been prefixed accordingly, resulting in a global list of universally recognized GSSPs. One notable example is the Global Glacial Maximum of the Pleistocene, marked by the interaction of interglacial temps and partial tropics with boreal nempen ich dis radiation bbg organizations.