The 10th GSSP defined in China

The Executive Bureau of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has voted through the proposal submitted by the International Commission on Stratigraphy on establishing a Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Cambrian Jianghsanian Stage (named previously as provisional Cambrian Stage 9). The ratification of IUGS, issued recently by Prof. A. C, Riccardi, the President of IUGS, indicates the GSSP is formally set up in Duibian Village, Jiangshan County, Zhejiang Province, China. The GSSP is the 10th “Golden Spike” set up in China, and makes China the country holding the most numerous GSSPs. Previously, China, UK, and Italy each has nine GSSPs.

The Jiangshanian GSSP is the 3rd GSSP defined by the research group leaded by Prof. PENG Shanchi from Nanjing Intstitute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS) in succession of establishing the Cambrian Paibian and Guzhangian GSSPs, and is the 7th one defined by NIGPAS as well. Besides the Jiangshanian GSSP, the other 6 GSSPs defined by the NIGPAS are the GSSP of Ordovician Darriwilian Stage, the GSSP of Cambrian Furongian Series (contaminant with the Paibian Stage), the GSSP of Permian Lopingian Series (contaminant with the Wuchiapingian Stage), the GSSP of Permian Changhsingian Stage, the GSSP of Ordovician Hirnantian Stage, and the GSSP of Cambrian Guzhangian Stage. 　　　 

The Jiangshanian Stage is named after the Jiangshan County, western Zhejiang Province, where the GSSP is located. It is a formal chronostratigraphical unit appeared in the "International Stratigraphic Chart" in succession of some other units (stages and Series) termed by the Chinese Scientists. All these units are embraced within the "International Stratigraphic Chart".