Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

The Pliocene Time Scale: Calibration of Planktonic Foraminiferal and Calcareous Nannoplankton Zones

Abstract

The Pliocene spans the interval between 5 and 1.8 m.y.; its lower and upper limits can be determined by multiple micropalaeontological criteria. Within the Pliocene twelve planktonic foraminiferal and seven calcareous nannoplankton datum levels can be calibrated to the palaeomagnetic time scale.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bandy, O. L., and Casey, R. E., Antarctic J., US, 4, 120 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bandy, O. L., and Casey, R. E., Geol. Soc. Amer., Ann. Mtg., Abstr., Pt. 7, B, 252 (1969).

  3. Bandy, O. L., Casey, R. E., and Wright, R. C., Antarctic Res. Ser., 15, 18 (Fig. 10, 11), 23 (Fig. 15) (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bandy, O. L., Nature, 233, 476 (1971).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Bandy, O. L., Casey, R. E., and Theyer, F., Geol. Soc. Amer., Ann. Mtg., Abstr., 4, 442 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Evernden, J. R., Curtis, G. H., Obradovitch, J., and Kistler, R. W., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 23, 85, (1961).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kulp, J. L., Science, 133, 1109, 111 (1961).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Trevisan, L., La Terra, Turin, 1 (1958).

  9. Matthews, W. D., Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 50, 59 (1929).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Evernden, J. F., Savage, D. E., Curtis, G. H., and James, G. T., Amer. J. Sci., 262, 145 (1964).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Tongiorgi, E., and Tongiorgi, M., Nature, 201, 365 (1954).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Choubert, G., Charlot, R., Faure-Muret, A., Hottinger, L., Marcais, J., Tisserant, D., and Vidal, P., CR Acad. Sci., Paris, 266, 197 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Tongiorgi, E., and Selli, R., Gior. Geol., 31, 55 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hays, J. D., Saito, T., Opdyke, N. D., and Burckle, L. H., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 80, 1498 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Berggren, W. A., Nature, 224, 1073 (1969).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Berggren, W. A., Lethaia, 5, 202 (1972).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Berggren, W. A., in Laughton, A. S., and Berggren, W. A., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 12, 58 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Ryan, W. B. F., in Ryan, W., and Hsü, K. J., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 13, 1385 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Saito, T., Burckle, L. H., and Hays, J. D., in Late Neogene Epoch Boundaries (edit. by Saito, T., and Burckle, L. H.) (Micropaleontology Press, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.) (in the press).

  20. Emiliani, C., J. Geol., 63, 562 (1955).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Emiliani, C., Ann. NY Acad. Sci., 95, 534 (1961).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Savage, D. E., and Curtis, G. H., Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol., Bull., 51, 480 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Ambrosetti, P., Bonadonna, F. P., Ferrara, G., Fornaseri, M., Tolomeo, L., and Tongiorgi, E., Boll. Soc. Geol. Ital., 87, 333 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Ambrosetti, P., Azzaroli, A., Bonadonna, F. P., and Follieri, M., Boll. Soc. Geol. Ital., 91, 174 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Berggren, W. A., Phillips, J. D., Bertels, A., and Wall, D., Nature, 216, 253 (1967).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. Glass, G., Ericson, D. B., Heezen, B. C., Opdyke, N. D., and Glass, J. A., Nature, 216, 439 (1967).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. Briskin, M., and Berggren, W. A., in Late Neogene Epoch Boundaries (edit. by Saito, T., and Burckle, L. H.) (Micropaleontology Press, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.) (in the press).

  28. Berggren, W. A., in The Micropaleontology of the Oceans (edit. by Funnell, B. F., and Riedel, W. R.), 780 (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  29. Berggren, W. A., Micropaleontology, 15, 352 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Berggren, W. A., Nature, 224, 1073 (1969).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  31. Berggren, W. A., Földt. Kózlöny, 101, 165 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  32. Berggren, W. A., Lethaia, 5, 202 (1972).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Banner, F. T., and Blow, W. H., Palaeontology, 2, 15 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Blow, W. H., in First International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva 1967 (edit. by Brönnimann, P., and Renz, H. H.), 1, 253, 256, 338, 386, and Fig. 20 on 289 (Brill, Leiden, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Blow, W. H., in First International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva 1967 (edit. by Brönnimann, P., and Renz, H. H.), 1, 418 (Brill, Leiden, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Blow, W. H., in First International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva 1967 (edit. by Brönnimann, P., and Renz, H. H.), 1, 252 (Brill, Leiden, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Bandy, O. L., Science, 140, 1402 (1963).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Bandy, O. L., Micropaleontology, 10, 10 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Hays, J. D., Saito, T., Opdyke, N. D., and Burckle, L. H., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 80, 1499 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Bukry, D., in Hayes, E. D., and Pimm, A. C., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 14, 488 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  41. Gartner, S., Gulf Coast Assoc. Geol. Soc., Trans., 19 (1969).

  42. Bukry, D., San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist., 16, 305 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  43. Bukry, D., in Ryan, W. B. F., Hsü, K. J., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 13, 818 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  44. Bukry, D., in Hollister, C. D., Ewing, J. I., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 11, 477 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  45. Bukry, D., in Laughton, A. S., Berggren, W. A., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 12, 1072 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Martini, E., and Worsley, T., Nature, 225, 289 (1970).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  47. Martini, E., Second Planktonic Conf., Rome 1970, 1, 746, 750 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  48. Bukry, D., in Tracey, J. I., jun., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 8, 794 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Bukry, D., in Hays, J. D., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 9, 819 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Gartner, S., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., (in the press).

  51. Gartner, S., Gulf Coast Assoc. Geol. Soc., Trans., 19, 587 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  52. Parker, F. L., Bull. Amer., Paleontology, 52, 133 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  53. Blow, W. H., in First International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva, 1967 (edit. by Brönnimann, P., and Renz, H. H.), 1 (Figs. 38 and 41) (Brill, Leiden, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  54. Cita, M. B., in Late Neogene Epoch Boundaries (edit. by Saito, T., and Burckle, L. H.) (Micropaleontology Press, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.) (in the press).

  55. Hays, J. D., and Berggren, W. A., in Micropaleontology of the Oceans (edit. by Funnell, B. F., and Riedel, W. R.), 680 (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  56. Foster, J. H., and Opdyke, N. D., J. Geophys. Res., 75, 4471 (1970).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  57. Talwani, M., Windisch, C. C., and Langseth, M. G., jun., J. Geophys. Res., 76, 484 (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  58. Laughton, A. S., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 12, 59 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  59. Perch-Nielsen, K., in Laughton, A. S., Berggren, W. A., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 12, 65 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  60. Berggren, W. A., in Laughton, A. S., Berggren, W. A., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 12, 69 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  61. Cita, M. B., in Ryan, W. B. F., Hsü, K. J., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 13, 1359 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  62. Stradner, H., in Ryan, W. B. F., and Hsü, K. J., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 13, 1137 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  63. Bukry, D., and Bramlette, M. N., Tulane Stud. Geol., 6, 154 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  64. Gartner, S., Gulf Coast Assoc. Geol. Soc., Trans., 19, 587 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  65. Bukry, D., and Bramlette, M. N., Tulane Stud. Geol., 6, 152 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  66. Gartner, S., Gulf Coast Assoc. Geol. Soc., Trans., 19, 592 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  67. Cita, M. B., Rev. Micropal., 14, 29 Fig. 10 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  68. Berggren, W. A., in Laughton, A. S., Berggren, W. A., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 12, 58 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  69. Banner, F. T., and Blow, W. H., Nature, 208, 1165 (1965).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  70. Blow, W. H., in First International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva 1967 (edit. by Brönnimann, P., and Renz H. H.), 1, 254 (Brill, Leiden, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  71. Bolli, H. M., in Bader, R. G., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 4, 584 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  72. Bolli, N. M., and Premoli-Silva, I., in Edgar, N. T., and Saunders, J., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 15 (in the press).

  73. Jenkins, D. G., and Orr, W. N., in Hays, J. D., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 9, 1063 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  74. Parker, F. L., Bull. Amer. Paleontol., 52, 126 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  75. Saito, T., in Hays, J. D., Saito, T., Opdyke, N. D., and Burckle, L. H., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 80, 1500 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  76. Berggren, W. A., in Micropaleontology of the Oceans (edit. by Funnell, B. F., and Riedel, W. R.), 775 (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  77. Bolli, H. M., in Bader, R. G., et al., Init. Rep. Deep Sea Drilling Project, 4, 585 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  78. Huang, T., in Late Neogene Epoch Boundaries (edit. by Saito, T., and Burckle, L.) (Micropaleontology Press, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.) (in the press).

  79. Blow, W. H., in First International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva 1967 (edit. by Brönnimann, P., and Renz, H. H.), 1, 254, 257 (Brill, Leiden, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  80. Banner, F. T., and Blow, W. H., Nature, 208, 1165 (1965).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  81. Blow, W. H., in First International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva 1967 (edit. by Brönnimann, P., and Renz, H. H.), 1, 259 (Brill, Leiden, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  82. Hays, J. D., Saito, T., Opdyke, N. D., and Burckle, L. H., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 80, 1501 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. Blow, W. H., in First International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva 1967 (edit. by Brönnimann, P., and Renz, H. H.), 1, 276 (Brill, Leiden, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

  84. Saito, T., in Hays, J. D., et al., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 80, 1488 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  85. Blow, W. H., in First International Conference on Planktonic Microfossils, Geneva, 1967 (edit. by Brönnimann, P., and Renz, H. H.), 1, 250 (Brill, Leiden, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

BERGGREN, W. The Pliocene Time Scale: Calibration of Planktonic Foraminiferal and Calcareous Nannoplankton Zones. Nature 243, 391–397 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/243391a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/243391a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing