CONSISTENT STRATIGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE IN GEOSCIENCE PUBLICATIONS—THE ROLE OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEOLOGIC NAMES COMMITTEE

Effective communication in the geosciences requires consistent use of stratigraphic nomenclature. Over the 128-year history of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), stratigraphic nomenclature and concepts have been an important aspect of publications that must adhere to broadly uniform procedures in dealing with nomenclature and classification of rocks. The USGS formed the Geologic Names Committee (GNC) in 1899. The GNC recommends policy on stratigraphic nomenclature and since 1933 assures conformity to the North American Stratigraphic Code. Since 1902, geologists in the U.S. have used lexicons produced by the USGS to research stratigraphic units and to publish consistent nomenclature (GEOLEX, http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Geolex/geolex_home.html). These lexicons include information on unit definitions, type localities, age, geographic extent, variations in usage, and references to published work. Recently, the GNC has been tasked with several issues to resolve within the USGS. First, the Committee studied various time scales in use worldwide and considered current controversial issues to adopt a modified version of the International Commission on Stratigraphy time scale http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2007/3015/). Second, the GNC considered color schemes historically used by the USGS and another used by the Commission for the Geologic Map of the World (CGMW) to determine how geologic units will be depicted on geologic maps. Since colors used by the USGS have been applied for over 100 years, it was decided that large scale and regional maps of the U.S. will use these colors. However, international maps may use the CGMW colors. Third, the GNC recommended a system for internal geologic names review for publications by USGS authors. Accuracy and clarity are main objectives in USGS publications and geologic maps. Therefore, peer review and editing must link to an up-to-date lexicon and conform to the North American Stratigraphic Code. Over the years, the USGS and its GNC has held an important place in the Nation's geologic research serving as a leader in stratigraphic nomenclature and a clearinghouse of geologic names. As time and technologies move forward, the USGS is committed to continue a leading role in promoting consistency in stratigraphic nomenclature.