Holocene (11.7 ka)

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Representation and status

Color CMYK
0/5/10/0
Color RGB
R: 254 G: 242 B: 224
Rank
chronostratigraphic Epoch
Validity
Unit is in Use
Status
valid formal name
Scs Note

Formally adopted by the International Geological Congress (IGC 1885).

Status discussion

Nomenclature

Deutsch
Holozän
Français
Holocène
Italiano
Olocene
English
Holocene (11.7 ka)
Origin of the Name

holos = fully, entirely , kaïno = recent

Historical Variants

Recent (Lyell 1839), Post-Glacial (Forbes 1846), Holocene (Gervais 1867-1869, IGC 1885, Gibbard et al. 2005 and 2010, Walker et al. 2008, 2009 and 2012), Alluvium = Gegenwart (Roesli 1948), Nacheiszeit, Holocän, Holocaen

Hierarchy and sequence

Subordinate units
Lower boundary

The base of the Holocene is set at the end of the Younger Dryas, which corresponds to 10'000 a 14C (uncalibrated) and 11'500 a BP (calendar years), respectively (Walker et al. 2009).

Age

Age at top
  • Holocene
Age at base
  • Holocene

References

Definition
Gervais P. (1867) : Zoologie et paléontologie générales: nouvelles recherches sur les animaux vertébrés et fossiles. Paris
Definition
Gibbard P.L., Smith A.G., Zalasiewicz J. (2005) : What status for the Quaternary? Boreas 34, 1-6
Important Publications
Mangerud J., Birks H.J.B., Jäger K.D. (eds) (1982) : Chronostratigraphical Subdivision of the Holocene. Striae 16, 1-110
Walker M., Johnsen S., Rasmussen S.O., ... (2008) : The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Holocene Series/Epoch (Quaternary System/Period) in the NGRIP ice core. Episodes 31, 264-267
Walker M., Johnsen S., Rasmussen S.O., ... (2009) : Formal definition and dating of the GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Point) for the base of the Holocene using the Greenland NGRIP ice core, and selected auxiliary records. Journal of Quaternary Science 24, 3-17
Walker M.J.C., Berkelhammer M., Björck S., Cwynar L.C., Fisher D.A., Long A.J., Lowe J.J., Newnham R.M., Rasmussen S.O., Weiss H. (2012) : Formal subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch: a Discussion Paper by a Working Group of INTIMATE (Integration of ice-core, marine and terrestrial records) and the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (International Commission on Stratigraphy). Journal of Quaternary Science 27/7, 649-659

  • Meghalayan (4.2 ka)

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Stage
    Status
    valid formal name
    In short

    Last chronostratigraphic stage of the Holocene.

    Age
    Holocene
    Show details

  • Subatlantic

    Rank
    climato/palynostratigraphy
    Status
    informal term
    In short
    Current climatic/palynological stage of the European Quaternary (approximate age range: from 2800-2450 calBP = 850-500 BC to present).
    Age
    Holocene
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  • Subboreal

    Rank
    climato/palynostratigraphy
    Status
    informal term
    In short
    Palynological stage of the European Quaternary (approximate age range: 5500-2800 calBP).
    Age
    Holocene
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  • Northgrippian (8.2 ka)

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Stage
    Status
    valid formal name
    In short

    Middle chronostratigraphic stage of the Holocene.

    Age
    Holocene
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  • Atlantic

    Name Origin
    Warm and moist climatic phase originally based on the study of Danish peat bogs.
    Rank
    climato/palynostratigraphy
    Status
    informal term
    In short
    Palynological stage depicting a climatic optimum in Europe, and characterised by the presence of oak, elm, linden and iva (approximate range: 9000-5500 calBP).
    Age
    Holocene
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  • Greenlandian (11.7 ka)

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Subperiod
    Status
    local name (informal)
    In short

    First chronostratigraphic stage of the Holocene.

    Age
    Holocene
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  • Boreal

    Name Origin
    Cold climatic phase originally based on the study of Danish peat bogs.
    Rank
    climato/palynostratigraphy
    Status
    informal term
    In short
    Palynological stage of the European Quaternary (approximate age range: 10200-9000 calBP).
    Age
    Holocene
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  • Preboreal

    Name Origin
    Transitional climatic phase originally based on the study of Danish peat bogs.
    Rank
    climato/palynostratigraphy
    Status
    informal term
    In short
    Palynological stage of the European Quaternary, at the base of the Holocene (approximate age range: 11650-10200 calBP).
    Age
    Holocene
    Show details
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