ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CONCEPTS OF ‘STRATIGRAPHY’ AND ‘CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY’

• Дата: 2026
• Автори: Полетаєв, В.І., Рябоконь, Т.С.
• Формат: Стаття
• Мова: Українська
• Опубліковано: Institute of Geological Sciences, NAS of Ukraine 2026
• Теми: stratigraphy; chronostratigraphy; stratigraphic unit; stratigraphic scale
• Онлайн доступ: http://geojournal.igs-nas.org.ua/article/view/351898
• Назва журналу: Geological journal

During the second half of the 20th century, in the field of theoretical stratigraphy the principles of the International Stratigraphic Scale that had been governing it until then, were gradually replaced by the principles of chronostratigraphy. In particular, when constructing the Global Geological Time Scale, in order to ensure the sequence of its taxa “without gaps and overlaps,” a means of stabilizing their boundaries was used, according to which the base of each subsequent stage is simultaneously the roof of the previous stage. As a result, the geochronological (historical) principle of distinguishing stages of the International Stratigraphic Scale on the basis of their personal biochronotype and regional stratotype was replaced by the geochronometric (digital) principle of determining the age of stages on the external geoastronomical scale in millions of years. This principle has now almost completely formed the International Chronostratigraphic Scale. Chronostratigraphy in the minds of a significant part of stratigraphers has become the modern paradigm of stratigraphy in general. But the question arose - can chronostratigraphy perform all the functions of stratigraphy, in particular, is it possible in practice to replace lithostratons of local and regional schemes/scales that are mapped with artificial (conditionally material) directly unmapped chronostratons, the defining feature of which is the time of their existence. The purpose of the work is to consider the problem of the relationship and contradiction between the concepts of stratigraphy and chronostratigraphy, and whether the second of them can replace the first. The method chosen for solving the problem was a dialectical comparison of the features of stratigraphy and its temporal section – chronostratigraphy, which was ad hoc considered as an independent science, as well as in particular a comparison of real lithostratons and chronostratons. The correct solution of the problem primarily involved the clarification of the stratigraphic concepts associated with its solution. As a result of the work, the following conclusions were drawn: stratigraphy consists of two opposite, but inextricably linked sides: a – regional stratigraphy (summer and sequence stratigraphy, associated with geological space, the main function of which is the dissection of the section and the construction of historical schemes); b – global chronostratigraphy (associated with the measurement of geoastronomic time; the main function of which is the correlation of regional schemes and the construction of a geological time scale). Both sides of stratigraphy are equal in rank. The connection between them is mainly provided by biostratigraphy and biochronology. Chronostratigraphy, as a section of stratigraphy, according to formal logic and functionally, cannot replace it, and therefore the extension of the term chronostratigraphy to all stratigraphy is illegitimate. The construction of regional stratigraphic schemes and legends for geological maps, which ensure the successful solution of practical tasks of strengthening the resource base of the Ukrainian economy, is impossible without taking into account the interaction of all types of stratigraphic units, including global chronostratigraphy.