An international team of over 40 stratigraphic experts have helped to build the most up-to-date international stratigraphic framework for the Precambrian and Phanerozoic.
Part I. Introduction: 1. Introduction F. M. Gradstein; 2. Chronostratigraphy - linking time and rock F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg and A. G. Smith; Part II. Concepts and Methods: 3. Biostratigraphy F. M. Gradstein, R. A. Cooper and P. M. Sadler; 4. Earth s orbital parameters and cycle stratigraphy L. A. Hinnov; 5. The geomagnetic polarity time scale J. G. Ogg and A. G. Smith; 6. Radiogenic isotope geochronology M. Villeneuve; 7. Stable isotopes J. M. McArthur and R. J. Howarth; 8. Geomathematics F. P. Agterberg; Part III. Geologic Periods: 9. The Precambrian: the Archaen and Proterozoic eons L. J. Robb, A. H. Knoll, K. A. Plumb, G. A. Shields, H. Strauss and J. Veizer; 10. Toward a 'natural' Precambrian time scale W. Bleeker; 11. The Cambrian period J. H. Shergold and R. A. Cooper; 12. The Ordovician period R. A. Cooper and P. M. Sadler; 13. The Silurian period M. J. Melchin, R. A. Cooper and P. M. Sadler; 14. The Devonian period M. R. House and F. M. Gradstein; 15. The Carboniferous period V. Davydov, B. R. Wardlaw and F. M. Gradstein; 16. The Permian period B. R. Wardlaw, V. Davydov and F. M. Gradstein; 17. The Triassic period J. G. Ogg; 18. The Jurassic period J. G. Ogg; 19. The Cretaceous Period J. G. Ogg, F. P. Agterberg and F. M. Gradstein; 20. The Paleogene period H. P. Luterbacher, J. R. Ali, H. Brinkhuis, F. M. Gradstein, J. J. Hooker, S. Monechi, J. G. Ogg, J. Powell, U. R A. Sanfilippo, and B. Schmitz; 21. The Neogene period L. Lourens, F. Hilgen, N. J. Shackleton, J. Laskar and D. Wilson; 22. The Pleistocene and Holocene epochs P. Gibbard and T. van Kolfschoten; Part IV. Summary: 23. Construction and summary of the geologic time scale F. M.. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg and A. G. Smith; Appendices; Bibliography; Stratigraphic index; General index.
'The publication of A Geologic Time Scale 2004, written by an international team of 40 scientists, is a milestone in our understanding of that past, and sets the standard in stratigraphy. The situation was last reviewed in 1989, and it will be another decade at least before it is revisited. Best get your copy now.' New Scientist 'One cannot help being struck by the amount of information in this volume ! a triumph of scholarship, that will serve the profession and the public well.' Episodes 'This is a volume that should be in all good geological libraries.' Geological Magazine