The Geologic time scale 2012 V. 2. The Cambrian period S. Peng L.E. Babcock and R.A. Cooper The Ordovician period R.A. Cooper and P.M. Sadler The Silurian period M.J. Melchin P.M. Sadler and B.D Cramer The Devonian period R.T. Becker F.M. Gradstein and O. Hammer The Carboniferous period V.I. Davydov D. Korn M.D. Schmitz The Permian period C.M. Henderson V.I Davydov and B.R. Wardlaw Triassic J.G. Ogg Jurassic J.G. Ogg and L.A. Hinnov Cretaceous J.G. Ogg and L.A. Hinnov The Paleogene period N. Vendenberghe F.J. Hilgen R.P. Speijer The Neogene period F.J. Hilgen L.J. Lourens and J.A. Van Dam The Quaternary period B. Pillans and P. Gibbard The prehistoric human time scale J.A. Catt and M.A. Maslin The Anthropocene J. Zalasiewicz P.J. Crutzen and W. Steffen The Geologic Time Scale 2012 is the framework for deciphering the history of our planet Earth. The authors have been at the forefront of chronostratigraphic research and initiatives to create an international geologic time scale for many years and the charts in this book present the most up to date international standard as ratified by the International Commission on Stratigraphy and the International Union of Geological Sciences. This 2012 geologic time scale is an enhanced improved and expanded version of the GTS2004 including chapters on planetary scales the Cryogenian Ediacaran periods systems a prehistory scale of human development a survey of sequence stratigraphy and an extensive compilation of stable isotope chemostratigraphy. This book is an essential reference for all geoscientists including researchers students and petroleum and mining professionals. The presentation is non technical and illustrated with numerous colour charts maps and photographs. The most detailed international geologic time scale available that contextualizes information in one single reference for quick desktop access. Gives insights in the construction strengths and limitations of the geological time scale that greatly enhances its function and its utility. Aids understanding by combining with the mathematical and statistical methods to scaled composites of global succession of events. Meets the needs of a range of users at various points in the workflow (researchers extracting linear time from rock records students recognizing the geologic stage by their content) V. 1. The chronostratigraphic scale F.M. Gradstein and J.G. Ogg Biochronology F.M. Gradstein Cyclostratigraphy and astrochronology L.A. Hinnov and F.J. Hilgen Geomagnetic polarity time scale J.G. Ogg Radiogenic isotope geochronology M.D. Schmitz Strontium isotope stratigraphy J.M. McArthur R.J. Howarth and G.A. Shields Osmium isotope stratigraphy B. Peucker Ehrenbrink and G. Ravizza Sulfur isotope stratigraphy A. Paytan and E.T. Gray Oxygen isotope stratigraphy E.L. Grossman Carbon isotope stratigraphy M.R. Saltzman and E. Thomas A brief history of plants on earth S.R. Gradstein and H. Kerp Sequence stratigraphy and sea level change M.D. Simmons Statistical procedures F.P. Agterberg O. Hammer and F.M. Gradstein The planetary time sclae K.L. Tanaka and W.K. Hartmann A chronostratigraphic division of the Precambrian M.J. Van Kranendonk and contributors The Cryogenian period G.A. Shields Zhou A.C. Hill and B.A. Macgabhann The Ediacaran period G.M. Narbonne S. Xiao and G.A. Shields