Lithostratigraphic nomenclature
Lithostratigraphy
The current main objective of the NCS is to establish a lithostratigraphic definition and nomenclature electronic reference website. This lithostratigraphy website is continuously updated and is the official reference for the use of lithostratigraphic definitions and nomenclature.
The starting point of the present official lithostratigraphy is the Lithostratigraphic scale of Belgium 2001 edited for NCS by Pierre Bultynck & Léon Dejonghe and published by as Bultynck & Dejonghe (2001). In this scale the Belgian lithostratigraphy was officialized for the first time since the international introduction of the Hedberg subdivision system and nomenclature rules published for ICS in 1976 (Hedberg 1976). In the 2001 Geologica Belgica volume the lithostratigraphy was described at the Formation level. This remains the primary goal of the NCS for the moment but gradually in the future the lithostratigraphy should become worked out at the Member level as well. Some subcommissions have already a semi-official Member nomenclature in use.
Proposals for modifications or additions to the lithostratigraphy can be submitted to the relevant subcommission (for contact coordinates see Organisation and Board of NCS section) and after discussion the subcommissions can make a proposition to the NCS board. Details of this procedure can be found under the section Procedures.
Once accepted by the NCS board the modifications or additions are inserted on the website in the Lithostratigraphy under the subcommission heading. The authors and the date of insertion of the modification or addition are listed between brackets after each such lithostratigraphic unit. Referring to these modified or added units can be done as follows:
"<Author(s)>, <insertion date>, <name of the unit>, ncs.naturalsciences.be"
The present status of the lithostratigraphy as described above is organized per subcommission. To find a lithostratigraphic unit, you can use the list of all formation names. In this list you will find a link to the related subcommission.
References
Bultynck, P. & Dejonghe, L., (eds) 2001. Lithostratigraphic scale of Belgium. Geologica Belgica, 4 (1-2), 168p.
Hedberg H. D., 1976, International stratigraphic guide. Wiley.