Chronology of Fluctuating Sea Levels

Since the Triassic

BILAL U. HAQ, JAN HARDENBOL, PETER R. VAIL*

7), much of which was considered propri-

Advances in sequence stratigraphy and the development of depositional models have etary. Since the original publication, more
helped explain the origin of genetically related sedimentary packages during sea level up-to-date versions of the global coastal
cycles. These concepts have provided the basis for the recopition of sea level events in onlap curves for the Jurassic and Cenozoic
subsurface data and in outcrops of marine sediments around the world. Knowledge of have been published (8), and some of the
these events has led to a new generation of Mesozoic and Cenozoic global cycle charts issues mentioned above have been ad-

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

that chronicle the history of sea level fctuations during the past 250 million years in dressed. However, to reduce the depen-
greater detail than was possible from seismic-stratigraphic data alone. An effort has dence on proprietary seismic and well-log
been made to develop a realistic and accurate time scale and widely applicable data, the need was seen to develop alterna-
chronostratigraphy and to integrate depositional sequences documented in public tive criteria for identifing sea level fluctua-
domain outcrop sections from various basins with this chronostratigraphic fiame- tions in easily accessible sections, where
work A description of this approach and an account of the results, illustrated by sea lessons learned from seismic interpretation
level cycle charts of the Cenozoic, Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic intervals, are of sea level changes could be applied to
presented. public domain outcrop data. The recent
advances in sequence stratigraphic concepts
F OR MORE THAN A CENTURY, EARTH primary units with chronostratigraphic sig- (9) and the development of depositional
scientists have accumulated geologic nificance. Vail at al. used stratal geometries models of genetically related sediments dur-
evidence indicating fluctuations in and patterns of onlap, downlap, truncation, ing various phases of the sea level cycles (10,
the mean sea level during Phanerozoic time. and basinward shifts of coastal onlap to 11) have helped fulfill this need (see Fig. 1).
In the early 20th century, Suess (1) re- interpret sea level histories along various The sequence-stratigraphic depositional
marked on the apparently synchronous epi- continental margins. The apparent synchro- models, together with detailed paleontologi-
sodes of deposition and nondeposition of neity of sea level falls in widely separated cal data, enhance the ability to recognize
marine strata in different parts of the world basins led them to generate a series ofcharts genetically related sediment packages in out-
and suggested that sea level rises and falls showing global cycles of relative changes in crop sections. They also provide indepen-
may be eustatic (global) in origin. Other sea level (4). dent avenues by which seismic and diverse
researchers have since documented the sea With the assertion of the method by Vail subsurface data can be augmented and inte-
level histories of different parts ofthe world, at al. that primary seismic reflections repre- grated. Sea level rises and falls are manifest-
and some of them have ascribed the appar- sented time lines, seismic stratigraphy was ed by specific physical surfaces that can be
ent synchroneity of these events to episodes seen as a breakthrough for regional and used to identify sequences in land-based and
of global tectonics (2, 3). global chronostratigraphic correlations. It offshore marine sections. In this way, sea
Sea level fluctuations have important im- has been particularly valuable in frontier level changes can be documented in diverse
plications for organic productivity of the areas where it aids in the predrill determina- areas that are within the public domain.
oceans and sediment distribution patterns tion of geological exploration parameters [Studies listed in (11) cover quantitative
along the continental margins and in the from seismic profiles. The original coastal models, applications in the field, chronostra-
interior basins. Therefore, the study of these onlap curves (4) were largely based on inter- tigraphic basis, and the documentation of
fluctuations is of prime interest to hydrocar- pretations of seismic sections with paleonto- this methodology.] These developments
bon exploration. Sea level changes are also logical age control from well data. Since represent a major step forward since the first
thought to control hydrographic-climatic publication of the Vail at al. method, sea publication of sea level curves (4).
patterns and, indirectly, biotic distribution level curves have been a subject of lively Over the past several years stratigraphers
patterns as well. Understanding these debate. The main criticisms of the curves at Exxon Production Research (EPR) have
changes is of considerable value in decipher- have centered on (i) the lack of adequate attempted to produce a global stratigraphic
ing past oceanographic (paleoceanographic) corrections for local and regional subsidence framework that integrates state-of-the-art
conditions. and thus the potential error in estimating magneto-, chrono-, and biostratigraphies
Developments in seismic stratigraphy the magnitude of sea level rises and falls (5); with sequences recognized in the subsurface
during the 1960s and 1970s led to the (ii) questions about the timing and the and outcrop sections in different sedimenta-
recognition that primary seismic reflections global synchroneity of some of the major ry basins. These data have provided a new
parallel stratal surfaces and unconformities events and their significance to the events in
(4). On this basis, Vail ea al. (4) proposed the deep sea (5, 6); (iii) the need for updat- The authors are on the scientific research staff of Exxon
that sediment packages (depositional se- ing the sea level curves in view of the recent Production Research Company, Houston, TX 77252.
quences) bounded by unconformities and refinements of time scales (6); and (iv) the *Prcsent address: Department of Geology, Rice Univer-
their correlative conformities represented nonpublication of supporting evidence (6, sity, Houston, TX 77251.
SCIENCE, VOL. 235
generation of Mesozoic and Cenozoic cycle objective has been to build a stratigraphic the precision of the rest of the segments will
charts that go beyond the resolution possi- framework that is advertent to empirical depend on the accuracy of the assumptions
ble with seismic stratigraphic techniques data and is rigorous enough that quick used to extrapolate the time intervals. Such
alone. modifications are not necessary as singular assumptions may not always be warranted
In order to publish the new cyde charts new items of data become available. The (13). The tie-point approach is a reasonable
(Figs. 2 to 5) without further delay, we have choice of the linear time scale provides an option only when reliable radiometric data
summarized our results in this artide. We example of this approach. are extremely sparse, as is still the case for
describe our approach and the results for the Traditional methods of constructing time much of the Paleozoic.
Mesozoic (the Triassic, Jurassic, and Creta- scales, including some of the more recent Differing time scales can also result from
ceous are dealt with separately here) and the attempts, have relied heavily on a few radio- an investigator's preference for a certain type
Cenozoic. The sequence-stratigraphic con- metric dates that are used to "nail down" of radiometric technique. Examples are pro-
cepts and depositional models have been segments of the otherwise exrapolated lin- vided by the differing linear scales based
addressed elsewhere (11). ear time scale (12). The choice of radiomet- exclusively on high-temperature radiometric
ric dates that are used as 'tie points" often dates, compared with those based largely on
depends on an internally justifiable prefer- low-temperature dates (14). Although the
Chronostratigraphic Basis ence of the researchers. The result is that a problems inherent in various radiometric
series of different and equally valid time dating techniques are becoming better un-
The accuracy of a widely applicable corre- scales can be constructed on the basis of a derstood (15), the adoption of one tech-
lation framework depends on the reliability differing choice of tie points. Even if the nique to the exclusion of others introduces a
of the stratigraphy on which it is based. Our time scale near the fixed tie points is valid, distinct bias. It also ignores a large body of

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

I
0LwLH
TME a

CANYON
4c

tls Its fc fl

z
Ul A) U DEPTH
2 SHALLOW
SHALLOW DEPI
DEEP
(A)

Fig. 1. Sequence-strati-
graphic concepts. Depo-
sitional model showing
systems tracts during the
devdlopment of type 1
and type 2 sequences
that occur aftcer type 1
and type 2 unconformi-
ties, respectively. (A)
The systems tracts in re-
lation to depth. (B) The
same features plotted
against geologic time
(legend below this figure
explains the symbols).
B) N GEOLOGIC TIME
LEGEND
SURFACES SYSTEMS TRACTS
(SB) SEQUENCE BOUNDARIES HST = HIGHSTAND SYSTEMS TRACT
(SB 1) = TYPE 1 TST = TRANSGRESSIVE SYSTEMS TRACT
(SB 2) = TYPE 2 LSW = LOWSTAND WEDGE SYSTEMS TRACT
(DLS) DOWNLAP SURFACES ivf = incised valley fil
(mfs) = maximum flooding surface pgc = prograding complex
(tfs) = top fan surface Icc = leveed channel complex
(tis) = top leveed channel surface LSF = LOWSTAND FAN SYSTEMS TRACT
(TS) TRANSGRESSIVE SURFACE fc = fan channels
(First flooding surface above maximum fl =fan lobes
regression) SMW = SHELF MARGIN WEDGE SYSTEMS TRACT

6 MARCH I987 ARTICLES II57

 S-XYOVHIDAT^tPW8C_RL¢KU
potentially valuable analytical and empirical correlations between reversals and biohori- parts of the Neogene, such ties are also
data. zons (first and last occurrences of calcareous available for siliceous plankton (21, 22). But
To produce a practical time scale with the plankton) in the tropical to temperate re- for the Jurassic and early Cretaceous, such
widest possible use, one must reconcile all gions are now available for much of the first-order correlations between polarity re-
reliable observations. Our linear scales, as Cenozoic and late Cretaceous (20). For versal events and fossil occurrences are limit-
shown on the Mesozoic and Cenozoic cycle
charts, are best-fit solutions of the analytical-
ly sound and stratigraphically constrained
radiometric dates (16). We believe a solu-
tion that does not overlook any potentially
MAGNETO-
STRATI-
I GRAPHY
_~!I'-I i~ E
CHRONO-
STRATIGRAPHY

E
-I
BIOSTRATIGRAPHY

zPLANKTONIC NANNOFOSSIL RADIOLARIAN DIATOM DINO-

useful chronological information generates FORAM BIOCHRONO- BIOCHRONO- BIOCHRONO- FLAGELLATE 2
time scales that are more stable and utilitar-
_
SoE AE BIOCHRONO- ZONES ZONES ZONES BIOHORIZONS
112 1! ZONES N )JNORTH PACC F
ian and that will resist the need for quick orL-
-
M1 HO ZEw _|
41 4MITDTOLOW __OCE_ A - t jJ t ;.
z . VLAU LAP .eYRlTH^
modifications. CENE
ci
o. TRUNCAT- ED IS m A
--mou_
--AI 0
The magnetostratigraphy (geomagnetic r?Afifl6zi
:)
MAA;UCMM 19- 00 TAAI
.- 7;
C.12
SPOINGASTER
I

polarity reversals) adopted for the cycle -I i -

_
6.
Lu
,,
k_ _- I - PENTAS

charts is a combination of four different

6
ZANCUAN
MESIINIAN . C3
'Ix
-

.1
mu,-,
MAJUIMITAE
|N17
m .

C-0
0 aum-
PEREGMIA
DENITICULOPSIS
KMTSCHATICA
l

-
CAUER"us
types of paleomagnetic information of vary- W.
4 ,2
jACOSTAENSIS
0.
C".m MII DODYWIOCYRT1IS
PENULTWAA

ing quality. We have adopted a polarity scale a.I TORTONIAN :.= ANrlE!MNULTIMUA DENTICULOPSIS
HUSTEDTII
[ESCESucTES D- CALCAM DOYlUIOCYRB
A UCU

tF, CW
iTN-,5-uwLL--ML-- D- HAktATM

of geomagnetic reversals of the past 6.5 le

--'.'2- =. '-.___
0. MOAAFM
(A D -ARTUS
PErc RW OM

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

million years that was identified in lava 176
Lu
aja SERRAVALLIAN i ROSUSTA E12
:] N1
_
G. FOHS4MO.
.1-
c"
D EXIUS
DORCADOSPYRIS
DENTICULOPSIS
HUSTEOTIl/
DENTICULOPSIS
flows and constrained by reliable radiomet- z
LU CB
5le
;111
SPO
S HETIERO-
ALATA
(_
LAUTA

Lu
Ul FOU

ric data (17). The polarity scale for the Is I .1 DENTICULOPS;IS

2 --.j10Oiw . !-
CALOCYCLETTA LAUTA
- COSTATA
interval from 6.5 to 84 million years ago is DI
1

a. IIISUETA
,.ACTW40CYCLUS

based on stacked mean ages of magnetic C4

4U
BURDIGAUAN n SmCHORCORYS THALASSKOSIRA
|NTE
'S IlLEbiNlO
VVOLWWM FRAGA
anomalies from three major ocean basin 20
cc is ,,A _D DOU

profiles, calibrated to a best-fit radiometric L 1 _. 0: I

C. DISSMILIS
-CZ1 STICHOCORYS
DELMONTENSIS THALASSIOSIRA
SPINOSA
AQUITANIAN I
linear time scale (18).
.1
CYRTOCAPSELLA
_T CARINATUS TETRAPERA

We have adopted the Oxfordian through 25

G. KUGLERI LYCHNOCANONIA
ELONGATA
ROCELLA
GEUDA

Barremian polarity scale by calibrating the Cl

e PZ2 II
I
G.
CO-EPOENSIS c-n S_ CSPEsOEuSI
M-series magnetic anomalies (MO-M29) cm eu CI4A1TIAN CIPEROENSIS BOGOROMI
DORCADOSPYRIS VENIAPAINI

against a best-fit numerical scale based on L 6 Lzu 2

Cs
"PM ATEUCHUS

Cs G. OPIMA P2t
available radiometric dates for the Jurassic 30
0 IL
30RA
Cv PtDSSDTEN"TUS
OPIKIA ROCELLA
VIGILANS
- 30

and Cretaceous. For the pre-Oxfordian in- 1

0
7 l T

terval, for which no sea floor magnetic RUPELIAN

THEOCYRTIS

anomaly data are available, we constructed a n

C.-
PUiPs . FORED
i SEeUS TUSEROSA CESTOOtSCUS
RETICULATUS
13
_- P.=CR
-
ECRU
tentative polarity reversal model based on a Lu a. CERRO- l7 I
- cC,su
CP17"

synthesis of various paleomagnetic studies f0. PRIASONIAN cSA rof

TMYSOYRTIS_
BROMIA .
" PSf UDOEXf CUf V^TUS
INVOLUTA PMO R PERfORATU;

on outcrop sections of the Triassic through 1E a

36.4_
T. ROHRI MO DIAN
TEUgbO
H PLECTItU;
- 40

Callovian age (19). This model may be e BARTONIAN 81RADIATA t H-OMORPHUS

42A .7
revised as new magnetic data for this interval t Lu
a
1
1 Lu
G. LEHNERI PI2 cr3
PODO.CYRTIS
H tOXoS;

become available. 112 a SUBCONG-| G.

c- NPU
AMPLA
LUTETIAN Pl
The magnetobiostratigraphic basis for the 0
LOaATAf
0
LU
C.3A
THYRSOCYRT18
TR -ACAIHA
BRIGHTWELLIA
HYPERBOREA
E Uf
c tCO_05lTUt

Cretaceous through Quaternary interval has Pt NENal

KISSE LOVIA SPt t

been considerably refined in recent years Giawa . PET- Fp CRASPFDODISCUS

D COII"P EX

through direct ties between fossil occurrence cli

so
e
Us
YPRESIAN
I 1l NE
Cs AS Ps
BURYELLA
CLINATA
OBLONGUS l-IH TUltFfRUII

kOENtSEtOf t S
-SO

datum events and magnetic polarity reversal tPT OOib + CRASPEDODLSCUSr. iNP12
D. Si..r...^..
* SfT^^

events. All such magnetobiostratigraphic - II .1 PUOTE .1.. INDARTENSIS

UNDULATUS cvn
BEKOMA
D PHOSPHORITtC
MUtttllPIIIIOS

U- I SDLEEUDEDS- M!. D- MUL-n- ClflCUT U ATA

data available to us have been incorporated a CP"

RAWATUS
H
C S^fPtUW
- 56

USEUDO-
in the cycle charts presented here. Direct Lu I MENARDE P4
P
Cft Mmm-
HEMIAULUS
I"CURtVUS
D OEBISfftDEIII

m LU

so
z
U
0 -4-S i
IPUSISLL
A
IP
UCIUATAI
cp.
F TYMPAN
0,0"
"Ps

Fig. 2. Cenozoic chronostratigraphy and cydes of El ? M. UNCINATAE n

C"
I PAACELLUS
NP4 INOT ZONEO}
sea level change. The linear time scale (in million I4 lu
S. TRULOOB IPMC HYPERION
years before present) is repeated on the lkft,
EN
C" CL DANICM TlYAN
DANIAN NM
EU 0
center, and right of the cyde chart. Sections a
0. PSEUDO-
BULLOIDES one CV" c Tim"
- a6
include magnetostratigraphy, chronostratigraphic I
-- CW_UM
. P A I_ -.
M. wvanmA
- - I M, 1. .

subdivisions, biostratigraphy, and sequence stra- -I MDOR REVERSED POLARITY EVENT

as
',,, AFTER STAINFORTH ET AL IN)I 'TLAST OCC _ESE
tigraphy. Long- and short-term eustatic curves
complete the chart. The key at the bottom of the ~ NOMAL PoLAIrry TAFER
)AFTER BUKRY lUll
SLOW INN AND ERGOREN 10121

figure explains the relative magnitude of sequence = REEPD POLAITfY

(Q)AFTER MARTINI 1i9R
boundaries (type 1 and 2 boundaries are distin- (fV AFTER SANFRUPPO. WESTBERG AND RIEDEL (11. 19NS
Rt; AFrER: GOMRO301N52.1N). GOMBOS AND CIESIELSKI 1163)
guished) and condensed sections. Sources (cita- FENNER (1RI, ANE BARRON 1055)

tions in the figure) for the Cenozoic magnetostra-

tigraphy are listed in (17, 18) and for biostratig-
raphy in (31). (Two halves of the figure are VERSION 31
reproduced on facing pages.) IOtobw. `111

II58 SCIENCE, VOL. 235

 2~ ~ .;
_m.Xi, 1TR
ed to a few isolated studies (23). that time, we must assign equal durations to By tradition, the European stages of the
Much work needs the subdivisions of such commonly used to be done on the Mesozoic and Cenozoic have come to be
Mesozoic sections before a dear picture of zonal schemes as those based on anrmonites accepted as the basic units of chronostratig-
the relation between polarity reversal se- within individual stages of much of the raphy for worldwide correlations. We corre-
quences and fossil zones can emerge. Until Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous. lated these stages with our linear scale and
magnetobiostratigraphy by establishing the
r- sequence-stratigraphic framework of the
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY stage stratopes and other key reference
IT O 'RI IDOORDERI
- sections from various parts of the world.
lS 4fDEi11
0 S- UJ 863>. -l EUSTATIC CURVES The standard stages could then be integrated
d 13 U0
Ic

RELATIVE CHANGE OF COASTAL ONLAP

US

lug up more accurately into the cycle charts

.4 F
<C I Su Uf I i
0
U
through the biostratigraphic and physical-
f-: - I .-.17 i
4.
LANDWARtO
1.0 0.5
BASNWARO

,A-
1--7--=" f7
r.i
Bo
- -.-
no
- c =--
166

--7
so Om
01 00 stratigraphic relations of the stratotypes. A
typical example of the sequence-stratigraph-
I- 3S s * 0
.2- JR ic approach is provided by the Chattian
- u
Stage of the Upper Oligocene.
3. -3 - -. The neostratotype of the Chattian at Do-
-3.2 t = 3 _w_ MHS _t2 berg bei Bunde in West Germany consists of
-
/
- 31 -2- L8
,__---116 646 -9 about 70 m of nearshore to offshore marine
-1 n
0
sands and marls (24). The litho- and biofa-

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

I vs--(13.m
1 12 - .t HS cies, grain-size analysis, and paleoenviron-
_~~~~~ ~
2.5 '-:z.;;;;;-4-2-,1
~~~~~~~ 155I!mIIfI3t -___
47i 2. i -
125 -
113.4-
11.-
-.Tl
7-ff- - = C ---
mental considerations suggest that two dis-
4 Is
24 -':- :
-I 6
tinct depositional sequences separated by an
wi
unconformity are present. The lower se-
2A \ HSr quence consists of fining-upward and deep-
-
L.. 14
2 .3
13.8.
\ :0
(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~445 TR~~~~7
He'2b'4. ____ __I
LW__
LONG TEM 8640SHO7 TEM
-a a ening transgressive deposits that are overlain
N I
by coarser high?stand, nearshore to littoral,
0
-~~~
-3.5 2 ----' deposits. This succession of depositional
I
-3
packages is repeated in the upper sequence,
z r- I
I...... -21 although in a somewhat deeper setting. The
z

a-
1.2
ff-4 If fIf, .,+, ",
HS
id

r-
t.t biostratigraphic data permit a precise corre-
9
lation of the neostratotype to two of the
V -7777 7*tt. -31F- -
kiF-U L 1- r-
-
IF -a
Upper Oligocene sequences (TB1.2 and
*.S W 3 g. X ? 3F g
NS

.t_
33 SW-Ir 1.3, Fig. 2) on the cycle chart. Such se-
HS"" quence-stratigraphic studies of the stage
io
I-
4.4
4
-
£- -3136
stratotpes have helped us to position the
41 6.__
3 65
-37.S-
-
T _ _ stages more accurately within the standard
4.1 -3B __L-_ chronostratigraphic framework.
-4aI
3.l _

-41.2- HLS_
_ _ -

Documentation of Sea Level

3.4 4- =-43-

2 -

49Is Changes Since the Triassic

I 323\-- -e: HS |
ILU 4
I
I 4
n
- 2.9 f--------- The new generation of cycle charts of sea
LbJ
level fluctuations is largely based on the
-2 = =.5__, , _-4zs - - - - - - - - -_
.60
study of sequences in outcrops that aug-
2.9 t54
-63-FF
ments the results from subsurface (seismic
I
I.- 7'
.7 .-46qW.-. .............,,,a_._
en'.=T' and well-log) data. These cycle charts are an
a improvement over previously published
1.2 TR t- ones, which were based entirely on subsur-
---t face information. The documentation of the
so Mesozoic and Cenozoic sequences is derived
1-
from outcrop sections in various parts of the
4
II world. Much of this documentation, howev-
I ..--'NI .

l
:. -+ 7. .
er, comes from marine outcrops spread
I

. _ .; HS

SYSTEMS TRACTS
a
throughout central and westem Europe, and
in the United States, along the Gulf and
SEQUENCE BOUNDARY TYPES KEY TO RELATIVE MAGNITUDE
SEQUENCE CONODESEO
HS High-wWW Dopod4
TR Trm4U3133 D0o.o6
Atlantic coasts and in the western interior
BOUNDARY
Mi.W
SEC7706 LSW L.,_.i W_.e (Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming). All of
F r- of Kn.ow F..
TYPE 2 x Modi.. '6 6
SMW mmm-m6rgi. Wedge
these sections are within the public domain
TYPE I 1 10i1iai6 m.iK. .
where the results can be studied and tested
LOWSTAND
DEPOSITS WITHOUT
COASTAL ONLAP
FAN

*SEOUENCE AGES 6N
8.u. HAQ. J. HARDENBOL, P.R. VAIL
(25-28).
PREVIOUS CYCLE CHARTS R.C. WRIGHT. L.E. STOVER, G. BAUM,
T. LOUTIT. A. GOMBOS. T. DAVIES, Ideally, sequence-stratigraphic analysis
C. PFLUM. K. ROMINE. H. POSAMENTIER
i (recognition of depositional sequences relat-
6 MARCH I987 ARTICLES II59
ed to sea level rises and falls) should be
carried out on seismic sections and well logs
from an area, in combination with extensive
outcrop studies of the same region. These
data can be integrated to establish an accu-
rate chronostratigraphic framework and to
identify depositional sequsnce boundaries
through litho- and biofacies analyses. In
downward (basinward) shift of coastal on- the position of the section along the shelf-
lap. In outcrops the sequence boundary may to-basin profile and on the rate of relative
be represented by an obvious unconformity sea level fall. For example, if the location of
or by more subtle changes, depending on the section is more shoreward along the
MAGNETO-
STRATI- CHRONO- BIOSTRATIGRAPHY
GRAPHY STRATIGRAPHY
(A

practice, however, all three types of data are E .o E PLANKTONIC CALCAREOUS MACROFOSSIL AMMONOID DINO-
usu,ally not available for all areas. Z C F F0
N F STAGES FORAM AND NANNOFOSSIL BlOCHRONO- BIOCHRONO- FLAGELLATE Z
0
(AzoO ZONES
Changes of relative sea level, which is the E .4 0 |O CALPIONELLID
BIOCHRONO- BIOCHRONO-
ZONES ZONES
(BOREAL) (TETHYAN BIOHORIZONS a
_ZONES GREAT BRITAIN REGION)
combined effect of subsidence and eustacy, 65r- _ DANIAN
G-Pwuoo. bDmc=mmHz=7j - 65
IG.ihEUGUSlNA
WU A1INVER..
IUS
control the accommodation potential of the IC29 . RIN "w T

A MAYARONENSIS MC25
I5IC.5A MURAR
sediments and the distribution of facies 1C3D G. CONTUSA 5z UAORATUS

within the system tracts. The details of the 1C31 MAASTRICH- G.GNSEI_
GASEI"
ARKHANGEL-
SKIELLA
70 Z CVMBIFORMISI 70 -.
TIAN
sequence-stratigraphic concepts and the cri-
teria used to identify depositional systems G TRICARINATA z

tracts (Fig. 1) in outcrops have been dealt 76

i 74
IG.CALCARATA_ is
with elsewhere (11). In marine outcrops
three depositional surfaces (systems-tracts G VENTRICOSA
CERATO-
LITHO &IDES
ACULEUS

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

boundaries) can usually be identified. The CAMPANIAN

most readily identifiable surface is the w CAW"S so

"transgressive surface" (Fig. 1), which oc- a. G. ELEVATA

BROONSONIA
PARCA
CALCULITES
oescuFlus
curs above the lowstand deposits that are L CIANO-
RHABDUS
characterized by sediments of the maximum 86
SANTONIAN
i D. ASYMMETRICA CAYEUXN
TESTUDiNAROUS

SOCIAUS
as

regressive phase. The transgressive surface REON"AROTITES

ANTHOP"ORCIS

heralds the onset of a relatively rapid sea

D. CONCAVATA
;Z;;ASTER
FURCATUS
9-L CORANGUSNUM
S s
g.
CONIACIAN D. PRIMITIVA
level rise and marked lithologic changes u IWFILLIL71.015
90

associated with the rise. In the absence of TURONIAN r--l H. HELVETICA

lowstand deposits, the transgressive surface

may coincide with the underlying uncon-
_n CENOMANIAN
.OWEJ
H
W.ARCHAEO-
CRETACEA

R. CUSHMANI
LITHRAJ'HIDfES
31
ACUTUbl
030
*UDI
GESLI"UM
GUE.tANGERI
5JUKESOOWNER
I JUDD$
GESLINIANUM
NAW.CULARE
JUKESSROWNEI ,Iuvta

Is IR. REICHELI R"OTOblAGE"SE RHOTOMAGENSE

95
DIXONi DIXONI
formable portion of the sequence boundary. R. BROTZENI 5"xI fAANTELLi C..f--.. . GlllhtoTW

The second most easily recognizable sur- 0 R. APPENNINICA

R. TICINENSIS
R. W T;illlI I -D--C
DISPAR

INFLATUM
PERMFLATA

3WA
FALLAX

P
O COSI.I.

CIIUORIOIOE.
SPHAERA
face in outcrops is the surface of maximum I DEOM
I R. .1 I
i ;i
f
CODLUMNATA r LAUTUS SWUCATUS
SILENUS

NK)lE

flooding, which is referred to as the "down- too

u S
!E
S
T. PRIMULA
INTERtMEDIUS=
DE"fTATUS
K"'ETUS
100

lap surface" on seismic profiles (Fig. 1). This I- ALBIAN

M. PLANltiIMA
E. ETAT..
NORNNUE"
9ULLIENSIS C C"Ut
S CO.G-.CATU.;

surface is associated with the condensed w AUPiTfO15mi

section that occurs within the transgressive

and highstand systems tracts. It depicts an
0c 11

T. BEtJAOUENSIS
ANGUSTUS

TARDEFURf.ATA
LARCHERI
PUZOsW4US
FLOIDUM-
KrrcHEmi
REGULR
bilMEIOIDS=
FARNHAMIEWSM
105

_0,; 'LACUOE''
interval of depositional starvation when the AnT 3: tGAPFtIFN
UTHEU]§En NUTRELDIENSMS
9 IG. GORBACHtKE I
rapidiy rising sea level moves the sediment 110
APTIAN I S. CAFRO CH I^STOZYG US IIOWVEBNIU
m
_ n

110

depocenters landward. Because ofthe lack of tbWWS

8
mim
I G. BLOWI
terrigenous input, the condensed section I
0 I H. SIMIUS FISUCOSTATUS

may be expressed as a zone of high pelagic iis BARREMIAN

IIE' H SIGAU
MICRAPNTH-
UDENTATUMA

RUOEFOI"COSTATUbA
SEAA-

PUL
coc

AIE O AfflCL
cE
fLUt
G-

115
fossil concentration, or as hardground 11X.5_.
O TUSUS
RsaOCICTUI
CHELLA
_1-
NO&ZICGSTTA-
-
1ml R. AlCAWn
caused by lithification. The relative duration - Ml G. HOTERIVICA
LITH fAlPHIDITES SAYM
of slow sedimentation represented by the c- ..I HAUTERIVIAN DOLU
I#VEIISU CRUWMSE
#-OOOSDPLU>CTUIbI
120 Ml CRtTAXH"DU LORYI 120
condensed section increases basinward until, 121-
UONOEI
1UN#^AMEDI
beyond the areas of terrigenous influence, M1
M3
ICM14
PITREI
the deposition in the deeper basin is theoret- M4 |ICALPIONELLIOS CALCICALATH IMA
OBLONGATA
DlCHOTOlliTES I M.T.A.-Sc
VALANGINIAN POLYPTYCHITS
ically a series of stacked condensed sections. 126
Mml CALPIONELLITES
__-
TOKI
125

The marked lithologic and faunal changes 01

3
across the condensed section can also be I CALPION -
ELLOPSIS
_
2
N^( COIO"I
OCO" S
ALUDUbl
STENOMP14LU!_
mistaken for the sequence boundary. 130 C Cas RYAZANIAN
CALPIONELLA
K*ENR
KOCHI 130

The third recognizable depositional sur- CAM1

ELLIPTICA
IC) LAAPLUGHI
face in outcrops is the sequence boundary. CM17111
1JURASSICIUI POATLANDA CALPIONELLA
ALPINA
PREPLWCMPHALUS
I
. (s) _ OPRIESSUS
.-Fous -1 JACOBI GR^ ...ANn' _ _
J_Lir
In seismic sections this is expressed by the
O AFTER ALLEMAN ET AL. T1971). PtEMOLI-SLVA AND BOLL) 1473). VAN HINTE (12).
PFESMOU-SILVA ANO ROERSMA 1137J. REMANE 119721. RORASYNSKI ET AL. I1974.141,
AND CARON (ISM)

Fig. 3. Cretaceous chronostratigraphy and cycles AFTER: THERSTEIN 119701. SISSINGHE1147 MANIOVIT
ROTH (1R3.1RO1. AND MONECHI ANO THIERSTEIN (ITMI,
ET AL. 11771
of sea level fluctuation (see Fig. 2 and caption for O AFAR: RAWSOM ET AL. 19720. ANR KENNEDY l190.
key and explanation). Sources for Cretaceous AFTER: VARIOUS AUTHORS IN CAVALIER AND ROGERS T19E).
AMEDRO 1A0.IUR.119RR. ROSASTN%KI ET ALU.1131, AND KENNEDY 11941.
magnetostratigraphy are listed in (18) and for
biostratigraphy in (33). (Two halves of the figure VERSION 3.1
IGEOctobE 1rSIM
are reproduced on facing pages.)
1160 SCIENCE, VOL. 235
shelf, the probability of deposition of low- boundary is an unconformity that may coin- shoaling-upward sediments. It is typically
stand deposits is reduced. If located updip, cide with the transgressive surface. Down- characterized by a change from interbedded
the deposition of such deposits may be dip, the sequence boundary becomes con- progradational deposits to more massive
entirely precluded, so that the sequence formable and occurs within the overall aggradational deposits.
Similarly, significant falls of sea level are
manifested by prominent unconformities
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY with erosional truncation caused by subaeri-
UZ
IIST ORDER)
EUSTATIC CURVES 4 al exposure. Type 1 unconformities (Fig. 1)
0
-iCc a,3
.W
5U22 ~2-.
produced as a result of rapid sea level falls
>-
C.)1I..
6!
O) O
> 0
RELATIVE CHANGE OF COAST AL ONLAP
ODz<
- 2
that are greater than subsidence at the shelf
(A rlm w20 1
O
7
a
E
LANDWARD
1.0
BASINWARD
,0
RIll 412-
1250 ;f0 lS0 1e 50 MA
edge may expose the entire shelf. The sea
- 65
(A withdrawal below the shelf edge also signals
I- 2- 11 the development ofincised valley systems on
45
the shelf that may be accompanied by low-
70 stand fan (lowstand fan systems tract) depo-
sition offshore if a source ofsand is available.
4.4
The incised river system feeds the fan direct-
Is 0 ly, and the fan deposits therefore do not
4.3 show coastal onlap (Fig. 1).
42
As soon as the regional subsidence begins

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

s0
4.1
10
to outstrip the slowipg rate of sea level fall,
3.5
relative sea level begins to rise, and backfill-
N ing of the incised valleys commences. The
D 34 lowstand facies (lowstand wedge systems
85
N
_ 4
3.3
tract) accumulate between the shelf edge
0 N
z
and the fan; these deposits may initially
N 3.2
0
XL 0r.
N
develop a leveed channel complex. Eventual-
90 LU DL 0r.
CL
3.1
2.7
2.6_
ly, lowstand deposits prograde over the lev-
z 2.5 eed channel complex and the fan deposits, as
2.4 the shoreline reaches its maximum basin-
95
2.3 ward regression. As the global sea level
2.2
begins to rise, the transgression of the shelf
21

1.5
is marked by the transgressive surface, and
100
14
the landward back-stepping transgressive fa-
10I cies (transgressive systems tract) begin to be
7 1.3
zD deposited. The transgressive deposits are in
12
turn overlain by the prograding highstand
105 esr
deposits (highstand systems tract) during
1.1I the highstand phase. Short-term, higher fre-
41 quency flooding events occur in all systems
110
4.1
tracts and have been termed parasequences
or pacs (29) (Fig. 1).
m 3.6
When the rate of sea level fall is slow, the
N
1120
3.4
withdrawal of the sea is more deliberate, and
1
31

the whole shelf may not be exposed. The

LU
resulting unconformity is less prominent
120
N 2A
2.4
(type 2 unconformity). In this case the
z 2.3 lowstand fan and the leveed-channel depos-
N N
C6
X
1 its do not develop. Instead, the shelf margin
IC 2.2 facies (shelf margin wedge systems tract)
126
0
cc
1120 prograde directly over the shelf edge and
-J
onto the slope (Fig. 1).
I.q- The application of sequence-stratigraphic
-130
1.5 concepts (11) to outcrop sections has pro-
vided the framework to identify and classify
major, medium, and minor sequences. In
practice, only sequences of major and medi-
um magnitude are discernible at the regional
seismic level. Minor sequences are generally
beyond the resolution obtainable with seis-
mic data alone, but they can be mapped by
detailed well-log studies and in outcrop
B.U. HAGL J. HARDENBOL, P.R. VAIL,
L.E. STOVER. R.C. WRIGHT, R. JAN DU CHENE
sections.
We list here the only major areas and
6 MARCH I987 ARTICLES II6I
 -
sections that were used for our documenta- MAGNETO- CHRONO-
tion. Study areas for the Cenozoic (25), STRATI- BIOSTRATIGRAPHY
GRAPHY STRATIGRAPHY
Cretaceous (26), Jurassic (27), and Triassic
(28) are listed separately. 3i AND
PRE| A 3A Y ONXN*KWO- SKX:*~~~OHRONZONES OHMOMZONS
I
X~~~~~~~~~SAE ZONS AN SU ZDN
IN.W. EWM

ZONES X
PASMPO
AS.XIMA M
]
A-AN"AVONS E (EE
COPE FT AL _AGELLAT
INW.EROE

rul acm _m Im
I _. ,_ __
Results and Description of the C""4 CRETA-
aMN
XN I.
m

gill
z
I
I

22151 WTUBOMPHALUS =Kw

Cycle Charts a CEOUS RAM II
A series of four cycle charts depict the
In
6
CM
___i(_ KC

aml
I
LAP.

M17 0.
chronology of sea level fluctuations in the a
CMIS POR -
LANDN It NEP& -J T-----Ms
,,,-k3
cools"
L

Cenozoic, Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic P..~

and cover the eustatic history of the last 250 MIN90I CM" re
D,n
-) ii

In U, ONdPLFXL

million years (Figs. 2 through 5). On each KIMM- x P.

mpj.
SP.A

cycle chart the linear time scale in million mm P. KOWA w!_,MAU!mAD

years before present is repeated in three
places. The cycle charts incorporate a vast K=Is
2

3I
LU
CE 0-
IL oe
IS" ro
PrA
ir,
w
t _ _
EUOOXUS
MIUTA
*.
FT
combination of information that helps to 1-
L VSKwMEILA
00o ROmmRA"ut
chronicle the sea level changes in a precise h=
IL cma
I-I
mmrn
TZ

manner. This information is presented in a

.=7
five sections. The first section is

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

XFORDIN TEMUMCATUM
a
magnetostratigraphy. Both the sea floor n COEATUM In

cma
magnetic anomaly data, where available, and POLYPOOO
MN
mA4ALA .c
polarity reversal sequence are included (17- I..M
AU.
ay ul W ul coLAM a
UM.LOVAN I= -MIAmkr--
19). P. orrm. sro4vAVLnMMl
Mann"
CALLOV W &-----JIMMMUML- __^T
"IC"
w
0
T-

The second section includes chron- -Wi--

imr.
ostratigraphy. The columns contain the sys- oP. OLA,

tem, series, and stage designations (for is 'mwm

IL SnAK
the Cenozoic, series and stage only). We Lu ATHONIA HEXUM
L..s

have adopted the commonly used westem VS

PPOIRAC
European stages that have come to be ac-
= E lEU%WT
cepted as standard intemational chronostra- I a 1
IPAMUNSOM =
tigraphic units. Some of the suprastage _ (a) or, vAa re .-_U -LD-
n-.-. WWWW

--
::L- -
SAOCUAN
chronostratigraphic designations (such as
Lias, Dogger, and Malm for the Jurassic, Cl) T.,
I LAEVRNNX"
- L- -
10

tjT. r- I .r
Fig. 4) that are still frequently used in some 0 .
CONCVUM
.. im _ _

regions are also indicated within the stage U, 0.840"IKA lm

column (30). k 0IHUM

r
The third section depicts biostratigraphy
and includes two types of information. For-
mally defined zonal schemes (based on first
ii _
Of.,
0FLOPA

OWESU
- 7
VW
lgv.
FALL.
or last occurrence of fossil taxa or their total
ranges) are included. They differ, however,
for the Cenozoic (31), Cretaceous (32, 33),
H I.
TOARAXAN
. m
WODOMAINIL
VALCW.
""M,w

Jurassic (34), and Triassic (35), depending T_MCSTTUM

on the relative usefulness of the groups for SASU A'IUM
subdividing the particular stratigraphic in- PUENS-
D. HCATE"
on
terval. The second type of information in BACAN
0A JAAVOB .ALDA.

these columns is the first and last occurrence awO Ao&". - T

events, or biohorizons, of those fossil Lu 3EE I

no or
P. D _ A"_AN_
groups whose zonal schemes have not yet ml
0:
ISUIUS . (i)RAlCOGTI
fAT_

been formally established or become widely v

_
NGAI SPHAERA OXYNOTUM
NEAN'l _

accepted (for example, the dinoflagellate I DUNAOA .TUB

biohorizons for the Cenozoic through the P2-A3lS.SIMCKSTATUM
PAHAODOLfmWS
00 I
Fig. 4. Jurassic chronostratigraphy and cycles of AEGULATA

sea level fluctuation (see Fig. 2 and caption for _

key and explanation). Sources for Jurassic magne- EUTANSON I UAMICtS

tostratigraphy are listed in (18, 19), and for DUc Ca
PLNVI
biostratigraphy in (34). The synthesized pre-Cal-
lovian (older than 160 million years) magnetic s.<
z

polarity reversals model (shown in gray and 14 AMMOMIE

2z0_
white) may be subject to modification when ®mucrn USAGE I
-_ E_AMD
PUDOCOcDATA _GOANEO
additional magnetic data become available. (Two
halves of the figure are reproduced on facing CAUDIMMES

pages.) 5 PUCATLZ
VERSION 3.1
II62 IOcobtw, UN)
Jurassic, and the radiolarians for Jurassic and
Triassic). Much of this information should
be regarded as preliminary until future work
confirms the correlation of these events with
the global chronostratigraphic framework.
The dinoflagellate occurrences, in particular,
largely from western European sections,
represent an aggregate of the data of EPR
palynologists (36) and will need to be cor-
roborated elsewhere before they can be ap-
plied on a wider basis.
The fourth section contains the terminol-
ogy for sequence stratigraphy. It includes
sequence chronozones or cycles (megacy-
des, supercycles, and cycles) (37) and scaled
relative changes of coastal onlap. The ages of
the cycle boundaries and downlap surfaces
are indicated in separate columns, as are the
depositional systems tracts (boundaries
where fans have been observed are indicated

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

by "F" in this column, Figs. 2 through 4).
Major, medium, and minor sequence
boundaries and condensed sections are iden-
tified by the relative thickness of the lines
drawn through them (38). The unshaded
triangles within each coastal onlap cycle
represent the condensed sections, depicting
the intervals of slow deposition after rapid
sea level rise, the relative duration of which
increases basinward.
The long- and short-term eustatic curves
are plotted in the last section. The scale (in
meters) represents the best estimate of sea
level rises and falls compared with the pre-
sent-day mondial mean sea level (39).
In the long term, the generally low sea
levels of the late Paleozoic (Pennsylvanian
and Permian), which reached their lowest
point in the Tatarian, continued into the
Triassic and early Jurassic. In the Hettan-
gian, the sea level dipped to another mark-
edly low position; the levels remained gener-
ally low through much of the middle Juras-
sic, rising somewhat in the Bajocian, but
falling again in the late Bathonian. The
trend reversed itself in the Callovian, and the
long-term sea level continued to rise
through the Oxfordian, reaching a Jurassic
peak in the Kimmeridgian.
After a transient but marked decline in the
early Valanginian, the sea level began to rise
rapidly, remaining high through the remain-
der of the Cretaceous. It reached its Meso-
zoic-Cenozoic peak in the early Turonian
time. After this mid-Cretaceous high, a
gradual decline of sea level began in the
latest Cretaceous and continued through the
Cenozoic. With the exception of relatively
higher levels in the Danian, Ypresian, Rupe-
lian, Langhian through early Serravallian,
and Zancian, this trend toward lower sea
levels continues to the present time.
In the short term, the major sea level falls
occurred at the base of Portlandian, in early
ARTICLES II63
Fig. 5. Triassic chronostratigraphy and cycles of MAGNETO- CHRONO-BITRTGAH
sea level change (see Fig. 2 and caption for key
STRATi-
and explanation). Sources for the synthesized
Triassic and early-middle Jurassic magnetc polari-
RAPHY
-
STRATIGRAPHY
- oNNON ThMASSI
lIOTR lTGAH
TRIASSIC
- SIOCMRONO~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*ONCH4RONO AMMONITE AMMONIE PALYNO0- F
ty reversal model are listed in (19). This model n
ZONES ZONES SICHNONO- sIOONO-
ZONE
Or
ZONES SiOHORIOXNS
may be subject to future modifications. Sources STAE M-0 3OW 2
for Triassic biostratigraphy are in (35). (Two n_ _ I NllESAOETAL
num ATrl
~~~~mOS _ TOZER ____ni
fuR AND _
11SM
halves of the figure are reproduced on facing
pages.) F~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A T1-|1N
II ~ XORTs^
~ IIL
H
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i~~~ ANDMAID _ _ _ _ s -
__ ME. TIDNTATA COIP sN Ul
RRAUI
_21'
2U
1 215
Aptian, mid-Cenomanian, late Turonian, M.
COUJUSIAMPJS M.
MACDR
late Maastrichtian, early Thanetian, latest E. N TATA 0. T. oUII C. INC RENATUI -

Ypresian, latest Bartonian, near the Rupe- NORI

U _AN W. PAUClM JlAG_C

lian-Chattian boundary, in Burdigalian- 7M It zlA

_STRITA M. DAWORI M. PAULCE*I
230
2X ._ H. HOIRARE"I CT I_ ___TI u u- 2
_R 8USmRu E. AT0EPTE
Langhian, in the late Serravallian, and NOV16 M515KE 0. JANOSHAUS

throughout the late Pliocene-Pleistocene in- 12 ~~ ~ ~ ~ KMACRWRJATU ANATROPITI 4hi

terval. These short-term, but marked, sea 2_ P. POLY_RATHI-
006 T. WELLON
level falls are frequently associated with CARNM ~~~~~~~~T.
DiAEm T. SUBIJILLATUR
worldwide major unconformities. At least iCARNIN
Z TZ T_ OT. UM A. AUSTRIACUM
since the Oligocene, sea level drops may be T.DESATOYENER T. AONONERzn
in large part due to the increasing influence

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

E. L~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~IUNMUNRRI
ofglaciation. This influence is manifested by .M.

the relatively large variations in amplitude of S ~ C' _T_71 __ .SUT__ 7 euor

the short-term sea levels since the mid-

Oligocene.
A total of 119 Triassic through Quatema- IiSERIALSLA"
2A. VAUE 26
ry sea level cycles have been identified in the
new generation Mesozoic-Cenozoic cyde - _ _ _~~~~~~~~N MNS EN PPOSEIDAON _ __GIS
2

charts. Of these, 19 began with major se-

quence boundaries, 42 began with relatively TATARSAN
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~A.VAR
medium magnitude sequence boundaries,
and 58 were represented by minor sequence
boundaries. As mentioned earlier, only the -_^F X ~S UCRNT

sequence boundaries of major and medium

magnitude can be identified generally at
regional seismic level. Detailed well-log or - UI
9 -
outcrop studies are usually necessary to re-
solve the minor sequences. IMLL OTHERS

Condusions
We have described our approach in
chronicling the Mesozoic and Cenozoic his-
tory of sea level fluctuations from various
parts of the world. Our objective has been to
make the cycle charts public in the most
expedient manner possible. In this artide we
have not attempted to address the important
issues of the causes of sea level change, the
absolute magnitude ofthe sea level rises and
falls through time, the implication of these
changes for the continental margin and
deep-sea sedimentary budgets, or their influ-
ence on hydrography, climate, and biotic
distribution and evolution.
A cursory comparison, for example, could
not establish a dear relation between ocean-
ic sedimentation rates (40) and sea level
fluctuations. A comparison of Neogene sea
level cycles with known intervals of wide-
spread gaps in deep-sea sedimentation (41)
reveals, however, that these gaps are coinci-
dent either with the downlap surfaces (con-
densed sections) of major and medium mag-
II64
VERSION 3.1
lOctober, iSIS
nitudes (which represent periods of maxi- and lowstand) of the sea level cycle and
mum flooding of the shelves) or with se- deep-sea hiatuses.
quence boundaries (which represent sea During the highstand, after a prominent
level drops), depending on whether the sea level rise, the terrigenous sediments are
hiatuses are caused by carbonate dissolution trapped on the inner shelf, starving the outer
or by erosion and removal of sediments shelf and slope. The sequestering of carbon-
from the sea floor. A recent study has shown ate on the inner shelf may lead to reduced
that in the central equatorial Pacific, the dissolved carbonate in seawater (43), and
major breaks in Neogene sedimentation cor- the resulting rise in calcite compensation
respond to regionally correlatable and syn- depth (CCD) would lead to increased disso-
chronous seismic reflectors (42). When lution in the deeper parts of the basins. This
compared to our sea level cycles, these re- reduction in carbonate during highstand
flectors also correspond to condensed sec- would explain the correlation of dissolution
tions of major anS medium magnitude. The, hiatuses with condensed sections (times of
reflectors are caused by carbonate dissolu- maximum flooding of the shelves). The sea
tion or diagenesis and are related to changes level elevation would also lead to climatic
in the ocean chemistry (42). Obviously, equitability and the weakening of latitudinal
there may be a cogent connection between thermal gradients (44), which in turn would
sea level fluctuations and shifts in the quality result in reduced current activity both at the
of deep ocean water. We suggest the follow- surface and on the sea bottom. After a
ing scenario to explain this correspondence marked sea level fall, on the other hand, the
between the two opposite phases (highstand inner shelf is bypassed, and sediments are
SCIENCE, VOL. 235

directly transported to the outer shelf or
slope. The resulting increase in carbonate
content of the seawater and the lowering of
CCD would reduce carbonate dissolution.
But the climatic inequitability and strength-
ened thermal gradients during the lowstand
(44) would lead to intensified circulation
and increased bottom water activity, causing
widespread erosion on the sea floor. This
process explains the correspondence of the
erosional hiatuses to sequence boundaries.
REFERENCES AND NOTES
1. E. Suess, The Face of the Earth (Clarendon, Oxford,
-
1906), vol. 2, p. 535.
2. H. Stille, Grundfragen der vergkieihnden Tektonik
(Bomtraeger, Berlin, 1924); A. W. Grabau, OsciUa-
tions or Pulsations (16th International Gcological
Congress, Washington, DC, 1933); L. L. Sloss,
24th Int. Geol. Congr. 6, 24 (1972).
3. L. L. Sloss, Gcol. Soc. Am. Bull. 74, 93 (1963).
4. P. R. Vail ct a., Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Mem. 26, 49-
212 (1977).
6 MARCH I987
5. W. C. Pitman III, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 89, 1389
(1978); G. Bond, Gcology 6, 247 (1978); A. B.
Watts and M. S. Steckler, in Deep Sea Drilling in the
Atlantic Ocean: Continental Margins and Pateenvir-
pument, M. Taiwani, W. Hay, W. B. F. Ryan, Eds.
(American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC,
1979), Maurice Ewing Series, vol. 3, pp. 218-239;
K B. Watts, Nature (London) 297, 469 (1982); A.
W. Bally, Am. Geophys. Union Geodynamis Scr. 1, 5
(1980).
6. N.-A. Momer, Geoloy 9, 344 (1981); N. Parkinson
and C. P. Summerhayes, Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.
69, 685 (1985); A. D. Miall, ibid. 70, 131 (1986);
B. E. Tucholke, Soc. Econ. Pakontol.-Mineral. Spec.
PuhI. 32, 23 (1981).
7. A. Hallam, Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 12, 205
(1984); A. D. Miall, in (6).
8. P. R. Vail and J. Hardenbol, Oceanus 22, 71
(1979); P. R. Vail and R. G. Todd, in Petmrlum
Gogy of the Continental Shelf of Northwest Europe,
L. V. Illing and G. D. Hobson, Eds. (Institute of
Petroleum Geology, London, 1981), pp. 216-235;
P. R. Vail, J. Hardenbol, R. G. Todd, Am. Assoc.
Pet. Geol. Mem. -36, 129 (1984).
9. Sequence is a widely used term in earth science, but
here sequence refers specifically to the depositional
sequence or the succession of sediments deposited
during a complete sea level cycle, that is, from a sea
level fall to subsequent rise and ending with the next
fall (Fig. 1). Sequence stratigraphy is broadly de-
fined as the branch of stratigraphy that deals with
depositonal sequences of genetically related strata
deposited during the different phases (lowstand,
transgressive, and highstand) of sea level cydes [see
R. M. Mitchum, P. R. Vail, J. B. Sangree,Am.Assoc.
Pet. GeolMem. 26, 117 (1977)].
10. Various authors in C. Wigus et al., Eds., "Sea level
change-an integrated approach," Soc. Econ. Paeon-
tot. Mineral. Spec. Pubi., in press.
11. In addition to the references in (8), sequence-
stratigraphic concepts, methodology, and clrono-
stratigraphic basis have also been presented in the
following: J. Hardenbol at., 2ndInt. Conuf Pako-
CeaW . (abstr.) (1985), p. 40; B. U. Haq etal., ibid.
(abstr.), p. 40; T. S. Loutit et a., ibid. (abstr.), p.
52; T. C. Moore at al., ibi. (abstr.), p. 55; B. U.
Ha ctaal, Soc. Econ. Pan. M ral. (abstr.)
(19 6), p. 121; Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. Prorams
(1986), p. 628. Details of quantitative models and
theorctical concepts of sequence stratigraphy appear
in M. T. Jervey, in (10); H. Posamentier, M. T.
Jervey, P. R. Vail, ibid.; J. van Wagoner, ibid.
Examples of applications of these concepts in the
field are included in P. R. Vail et al., Bul. Soc. Geot.
Franc, in press; S. M. Greenlec, F. W. Schroeder,
P. R. Vail, in North Amrican Continental Margins,
R. Sheridan and J. Grow, Eds. (commemorative
volumes, Decade of North American Geology
Boulder, CO), in press; G. R. Baum, in (10); J.F.
Sarg, ibid.; T. Loutit, J. Hardenbol, P. R. Vail, ibid.
Details of the chronostratigraphic basis appear in B.
U. Haq, J. Hardenbol, P. R. Vail. ibid.
Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011
12. For example, W. A. Bcrggren, Lethaia 5, 195
(1972); J. Hardenbol and . A. Bergren, Am.
Assoc. Pet. Gedt. Spec. Studies 6, 213 (1978); W. A.
Berggren, D. V. Kent, J. J. Flynn, J. A. Van
Couvering, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 96, 1418 (1985);
W. B. Harland at al., A Geolic Time Scak (Cam-
bridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1982).
13. Time scales are commonly extrapolated between
fixed points, assuming constant sedimentation or sea
floor spreading rates.
14. Compare, for example, the Paleogene time scale
based largely on low-temperature radiornetric dates
(K/Ar dates on glauconites) [G. S. Odin t al., in
Numerical Dating in Stratgrphy, G. S. Odin, Ed.
(Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1982), part 2, pp.
957-960], with one based exclusively on selected
high-temperature dates (K/Ar dates on bentonites)
[W. A. Berggren, D. V. Kent, J. J. Flynn, J. A. Van
Couvering, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 96, 1407 (1985)].
15. Various authors in G. S. Odin, Ed., Numerial
Dating in Strajraphy (Wiley-Interscience, New
York, 1982), part 1, pp. 151-454.
16. In constructing the linear time scale, we used both
high- and low-temperature radiometric dates. Crite-
ria for the selection of radiometric dates have been
that they be analytically acceptable and stratifraphi-
caily constrained. When reliable low- and high-
temperature dates are available for the same strati-
graphic interval (for example, the Aptian through
Maastrichtian), the older ranges ofthe low-tempera-
ture dates show significant overlap with the younger
ranges of the high-temperature ates.
17. I. McDougall, N. D. Watkins, G. P. Walker, L.
Kristjansson, J. Geophys. Res. 81, 1501 (1976); I.
McDougall, K. Saemundson, H. Johannesson, N.
A. Watkins, L. Kristjansson, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 88,
1 (1977); E. A. Mankinen and G. B. Dahrymple,
J. Geophys. Res. 84, 615 (1979). (If not already
converted, we have converted all radioinetric dates
according to new decay constants.)
18. Composite late Cretaceous-Cenozoic polarity rever-
sal scales have been developed from the marine
magnetic anomaly scale of J. R. Heirtzler et al. [.
Geoph'ys. Res. 73, 2119 (1968)], with later refine-
ments by J. L. LaBrecque, D. V. Kent, and S. C.
Cande [Geoly 5, 330 (1977)] and W. Lowrie and
W. Alvarez [ibid. 9, 392 (1981)]. The Callovian
(late Jurassic) through Cretaceous polarity reversal
scales have developed from magnetic anomaly pro-
files of R. L. Larson and W. C. Pitman III [Geot. Soc.
Am. Bull. 83, 3645 (1972)], R. L. Larson andT. W.
C. Hilde [. Geopys. Rcs. 80, 2586 (1975)], and S.
C. Cande, R. L. Larson, and J. L. LaBrecque [Earth
Planct. Sci. Lett. 41, 434 (1978)]. To arrive at the
late Cretaceous-Cenozoic stacked mean ages for the
magnetic anomalies (anomalies 34 through 1), we
used the following sea floor anomaly profiles from
the North Pacific: W. C. Pitman III, E. M. Herron,
J. R. Heirtzler,J. Geopys. Rns. 73, 2969 (1968); for
the South Pacific: ibid., p. 2069; and for the South
Atlantic: G. 0. Dickson, W. C. Pitman III, J. R.
Heirtzler, ibid., p. 2987. Magnetic chron nomencla-
ture (polarity chronozones) for the late Cretaceous-
Cenozoic is largely by L. Tauxe a al. [Palaeogeogr.
ARTICLES II65
 Paadima. PaPaecd. 42, 65 (1983)]. For the
late Jurassc-early Cretcs (magnetic anomalies
M26 dtrou«g Ml), the foilowing profies were used
ftom he Niorth Pacific: T. W.
M. W2
W=d, N. Isczaki, J.
Ama,. Qq*. Uxion Geob. AMir.
19, (1976); and from the westa North AZ-
tic: H. Schouten and K. M. Kltgord, Earth Planet.
Sci. Lea. 59, 255 (1982). Magnetc pohrity chrono-
zones for the Aptian-Callovian inteaval are afer J. L
LaBrecquet at. [Palaege.gr Platdmao Pa-
laed. 42, 91 (1983)1.
19, Pre-Caovian (Triassic throu midd JurssK)
synthtic polarity reversal mdel is based on the
follwing: C. E. Helsley, Gel. Soc. Am. RxU. 80,
2431 (1969); P. J. TaAm A=o. Pet. God. Bull. 26.
54, 1130 (1970); M. W. Mcliny and P. J.
Burek, Natr (Lo,go) 232, 98 (191); K. M.
Creer, ibid. 233, 545 (1971); D. M. Pechersky and
A. N. Khrmov, ibid. 244, 499 (1973); C. E.
Helsky and M. B. Steine, Gcot. Soc. Am. Bug. 85,
457 (1974); E. Marton, P. Marton, F. Hdekr,Eartk
Pla. Sa. Ltt. 48, 218 (1980); J. E. T. Channell,
J. G. Ogg, W. Lowrie, Phiks. T7w. R. Soc. London
Ser. A 306, 137 (1982); F. Hi6ner and F. Heller,
Geopbys. J. R. Amn. Soc. 73, 705 (1983).
20. Recent studies that havc prvded direct aorlation
betwccn the lte Cretaceous-C&nozoi fossil occur-
rences and magnetic polarity reversals icude W. B.
F. Ryan t al., Riv. [tat. Pa lte . Strw*r. 80, 631
(1974); W. Alvare a atl., Gcd. Sac. Am. Bxull. 88,
367 (1977); B. U. Haq, W. A. Brgren, J. AVan
Couvering, Natwre (London) 269, 483 (1977); H.
IL Thierstcin at a., Ge4y 5, 400 (1977); B. U.
Haq et al., ibid. 8, 427 (1980); J. E. T. Channilad
F. Medizza, Earth Plant. Sci. Lett. 55, 419 (1981)-
W. Lowrie at al., Ged. Soc. Am. Bull. 93, 414 27.
(1982); R Z. Poore et a., Gecdyy 10, 508 (1982);
H. Stadncr and F. Allram, Ixte. Rep. Dep Sea Drill.
Pr*.67566, 589 (1982); W. A. Brggren eta ., ibid.
72, (1983); G. Napolonct al., Ged. Sc. Am.
Bul. 94, 181 (1983); R. Z. Pooreetal.,Paee r
Paaoc aol. Pataoewl. 42, 127 (198 K . Hs
et at., Ged. Sac. Am. Bull. 95, 863 (1984); W. A.
Bergren,D. V. Kene, J. J. Flynn, in Te Cbtrw4y
~fekGalogicl Recet, N. J, Snellng Ed. (Man.
Geol. Soc. London/Blackwell, Oxford, 1985), vol.
10, p. 141; S. Monechi and H. R. Thiekrsen,Mar.
Maropateontot 9, 419 (1985); C. E. Birton and J.
Bloemendal,Ia Rep. Deep SeaDril. Pr,j. 90, 1294
(1986); W. H. Lohana, ibid., p. 776.
21. H. Bolli, J. B. Saunders, K. h-Ne , Eds.,
Plankton St (Cambridge Univ. Press,
Cambridge, 1985).
22. L. H. Burck, Pro 2nd Work. Group Meet. It.
Gol. Coard. Pro., Proj. 114, Baung 1977, Spec.
Pubi. Ged. Res. De. Cen. 1, 25 (1978); F. Thecyr,
C. Y. Mato, S. R. Hammond, Mar. Micr nt.
3, 377 (1978); L. H. Burckle and J. Traincr,
7l v 25, 281 (1979); J. A. Barron, in 28.
(21), pp. 763 .
23. Dirct ties between Jurassic and Cretaceous fossil
ocurrences and magnetic polarity reversals are pro-
vided by the followng stdies: W. Alvarez et at., 29.
Garl. Sac. Am. Bull. -88, 367 (1977); J. E. T.
Channcll, W. Lowne, F. Mediza, Erth Plane. Sa. 30.
Let. 42, 153 (1979); W. Lowrie a a., J. Gephys.
les. 85, 3597 (1980); E. Marton, P. Marton, F.
Heller, Earth Plant. Sc. Let. 48, 218 (1980); E.
Marton, ibid. 57, 182 (1982); J. E. T. Channeil et
at., in (19); F. Horner and F. HcIer, J. R. Aron.
Soc. 73, 705 (1983); J. G. Ogg, Inst. Rep. Deep Sea
Drill. Proj. 76, 685 (1983); B. Galbrun and L.
Rasphis, C.R. Acad. Sc. 298, 219 (1984); T. J.
B wer, Mr. M icfpaens., in press
24. H. -J. Anderson et al., Field Guide OlcO l Exar- 31.
swon, 1969 (Marburg Uniersity, Marburg, 1969), P.
47, figue 8; Gion Gal. (Ser. 2), 37, 69 (1971).
25. To document the Cenozoic sequences, oups
have boen studied in botht nohwe Eure-
an basins (Anglo-Bclgium and Pars basins , souten
France, West German, and Italy) and along the
U.S. Atlantic and Gulfa. In Europe the Palo-
gene sequeces have been documented in souther
EngIfand the Isle of Wight. This documentation
inld thei reference secton for the Thanetian and
de stratype section of the Baronian (in Barton
area). Thec Belgian sectons include stratoypes of
Ypresian, Ledian, Tongian, and Rupelian Sages. A
northwestern Ge n s onnar Dobe provided
the documentation for the Chattuans s. I
France, the Pans basin area has been of partuar
significance, and sections studid incudec strato
types or hypostratopes of the Sparnacian, Cuisaan, 32.
Lutetian,Auversian, Marinesian, and Stampian
1166
Stages. The sections in southe France indude the
trtypsOf AqiainandBidgaan(ohn
the Aq bain).In to P an
stratoty!Qn norther Italy, the cxensive litea-
turc
onNeogme s and hy in
Iwand Spa was invaliable in veig ad
dt dx
Neogene seq cs. The U.S. sections include Pa-
~ene outcrops along the Atlantic cokst in North
and a the Gulf coa in
AbbNm and Gorgia. In addkion, Paoge se-
quncn have also been stdied in outcrps on South
i ew Zcaland, and along the fnks of the
Ottway Mountains in Victoria, Austaa.
Docimentation for tie Cretaco sequees is
mainly provided by sections in western anid centrl
European basins, the U.S. Gulf coast, and the
westm inteior. In Europe, the ower Cr eoous
sequenccs have boen saudied in the Suisse Romande
area of Switzehand and southeastern France. The
Swiss outcrops inclde the s psections of the
Valannian and Hauterivian Stages. The French
localities include lower Creaceous section in the
Areche, Yauchue, and Alpes dc Haute-Provcnce
areas, induding the stratoype orhyp o
section ofthe Beriasn, Aptian, Va -
Barrenian, and B lian p G -
cooustcrop studics were undcrtaken in sectons in
the Alpes ar nd the Drofne areas of the
Pr ne. In aon, the stratotpes of the Cerio-
manian (near Le Man) and Turonian (in the Tou-
rane) and the muid-Cretcous outcrops ofdte Bou-
onnais were also studied. In dte United States, the
middle and Upper Cretaceous sections have ben
sludied in the westem interior and centrl Texas.
The bulk of documentation for the Jurassic sc-
quences came from sections in western Europe,
particularly the minor sequences that have been
documented only in England and France so far. The
English sections incde outcrops in Dorst and
Somerset in southern England and Yorkshire in
noriern England. ntally a complte p -
sion of Jurassic sences can be seen along the
Dorst coast: the ttangian dtoug Toarcan se-
quences can be observed Pinhay Bay eastward
to Etdlifi and the Aalenian through Calovian
between Burton Bradstock and Tidmoor Point; the
Upper Jurassic and lowcst Cretaceous sequences
are exposed fiom the Isk of Porland to Swanage.
In France, seauences of H throu e
Aaknian age, icluding the stratoqpc oarcian
(near Thouars), have becn studied. In additon,
sections in southrm Germany provided verification
of Rhaetian thrugh Toarcian sequences, which
includc the s type section of the Plicnsbachian
Stage (near Pliensbach). Secdons niear thc Montsal-
vens area of Switzerland have furnished fiuther
confirmation of late Jurassic sequences.
Triassic documentation was provided by sctions in
Svalbard, on the Arctic iand of Bjorn0ya, in the
Dobomites in Italy, and from the Salt Rangc in
Pakistan.
J. van Wagonr, in (10); P. W. Godwin and E. J.
Anderson,J. Geot. 93, 515 (1985).
The Jurassc-Crcetaos boundary is placed between
the Portandian and Ryazanian Stagcs, folwgthe
comnmn British usage. Alternative boundary place-
ment (for cxample, by French stratigraphers) is
between the rthonian and Berasian Stages.
Names of the commonly used suprastge subdivi-
sions inluded in the stage column (that is, Zcch-
stein, Buntandstein, Muschelkalk, Lias, Dogger,
Mahm, Neocomian, and Senonian) are includedronly
for convenice, and no fornal status is suggtd.
The Cenozoic biostratigraphy (Fig, 2) includes
pbnraminiferal zones as descn-bt in the
fi)l : W. Blow, . st Int. Cf Pxkt.
Micrfik, 1967, Gca 1, 199 (1969); W. A.
Berggren in (12); R. M. Staififth, Univ. Kax.
Pale . Conib. 62, 1 (1975). Cakarous nanno-
fossil zones are dscribed in E. Martini, Proc. 2nd
Plano. Ceuf, 1970, Rome 2, 739 (1971); H.
Okada and D. Bukay, Mar. Mipeontd. 5, 321
(1980); D. Bukry, Soc. Eon. Pakontol. MAneul. SPC.
PuH. 32,335 (1981) Radioria zones are citc in
A. Sanfillipo, M. J. Wetberg-Smith, W. RK Riedel,
Ie. Rep. Dep Sea Dri. Pro. 61, 495 (1981); (21),
p. 631. Diatom zones ar from A. M. Gombos,
acilri 5, 225 (1982); _ and P. Ciesielski,
I*nt. Rep. Deep Sea Dril. Proj. 71, 583 (1983); A.
M. Gombos, ibid. 73, 495 (1984); J. Fenner, in
(21), p. 713; J. A. Barron, ibid., p. 763.
F. Robasynski et at., Rev. Miopakont. 26, 145
(1984).
33. Crcus bios=tigraphy (Fig. 3) includes: Plank-
tonc foraminifra zones from I. Premoli-Silva and
H.. Bolli, I%t R¢. Deep Sea Dril. Pej. 15, 499
(1973)- I. Prcmfi-Silva and A. Boerama, ibid. 39,
615 (1977); J. E. van Hinte, Am. Asoc. Pet. Gad.
Bul. 60, 498 (1976); F. Robasynaski et i., Cab.
Miaopleotl 1, 185 (1979); ibid. 2, 181 (1979);
M. Caron, in (21), p. 17. Calpioreffid zones from F.
Allman t al., Pro. 2nd Plakton. Cnfi, 1970,
Rome, 2, 1337 (1971); J. Remane, in Introduaion
to ieM , B. U. Haq atd A.
Boersma, Eds. (E , Ncw York, 1978), p. 161;
(21), p. 555, Cakarous nannofossil zones fr H.
Thierstein, Ma. Mipeot. 1, 325 (1976); W.
Sissingh, G.*M bouw 56, 37 (1977); H. Manivit
a t ., K. Nd Akad. Wet. B80, 169 (1977); P. H.
Roth, Insi. Rip. Dee Sea Dril. Proj. 44, 731
(1978); ibid. 76, 587 (1983). Boreal (British) am-
monoid-beemnnoid zones from P. F. Rawson t al.,
Gal. Soc. Lodm Spc. Rep. 9, 1 (1978); W. J.
Kenndy,; Bul. Gel. Soc. Den. 33, 147 (1984).
Tethyan, ammonoid zones fiom C. Cavalier and J.
Roges, Eds., Bur. Rub. God. MA . Mem. 109, 1
(1980); R. Bunardo, ibid. 125, 293 (1984); F.
Amedro, Rev-. Mirpalewnd. 22, 195 (1980); Cre-
taceousRes. 2, 261 (1981); Bul. Sac. Gad. Norman-
dieAxssMa. Ham 71, 17 (1984); B. Clavel et a.,
Edokae Gaol. Hde. 79, 319 (1986); W. J. Kcnnedy,
cited earlier in this r (32).
34. Jurassk biostratigraphy section (Fig. 4) incdudes
Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011
radiolarian evnts and zrelimar zones in: E. A.
Pessagno, Mc pal o23, 56 (1977);
and C. D. Bkom, ibid. 26, 225 (1980); P. 0.
Baumgarte,Ini. Rep. Deep SeaDril. Proj. 76, 569
(1983); E. A. Pessagno t al., Cushmn Foud.
Foaminiferal Res. Spec. Pubt., in press. Cacares
nannofossil zones in T. Barnard and W. W. Hay,
Eckegae Gal. Hdv. 67, 563 (1974); A. W. Medd,
Mar. Micral. 7, 73 (1982); G. B. Ramil
in Adri
SL=VksA Indec o~fCakarow
Srn*nical fC sN Nannofiesit
A
A. R. Lord, Ed. (Horwood, Chicheter, England,
1982), p. 17; P. H. Roth, A. W. Mcdd, D. K.
Watkins, Ibit. Rep. Dcep Sea Dril. Proj. 76, 573
(1983). Boreal (British) ammonoid zones in J. C.
W. Cope t al., Gal. Soe. Lmndo Spe. Rep. 14, 73
(1980); ibid. 15i 109 (1980).
35. Triassic biosatigraphy (Fig. 5) indludes radiolarlan
zones in C. DE. bome, Bull. Am. Palee. 85, 5
(1984). Conodont zones in L. C. Mosher,J. Pakton-
to. 44, 737 (1970); W. C. Swcet atl., Gal. Soc.
Am. Mcm. 127, 441 (1971); T. Matua, ih The
Teds, Her Padr Pab
fi Paeoi o oc, K. Nakazawa andJ.M.
Dickens, Eds. (Tokai Univ. Press, Tokyo, 1985), p.
157. Thc Tethyan ammonoid zones in E. T. Tozer,
Gad. Sun. Can. Misc. Re. 35, 8 (1984). North
Amerian ammonoid zones after N. J. Silbering and
E. T. Tozer, Geol. Soc. Am. Spe. Pap. 110,7 (1968).
36. The yde charts in e (mosdy dino-
C22) biohorizonstathvebc synd=ized
and compiled by EPR palynologis (L. E. Stovcr,
M. Millioud, N. S. Ioannides, R. Jan du Chene, Y.
Y. Chen, J. D. Shanc, and B. E. Morgan).
37. The cycle terminology adopted here (that is, Absaro-
ka, Zuni, Teias, and thcir subdivisions) is based on
the sequence temiinology suggested by L L. Sloss,
in (3).
38. The dashed lines drawn through the condensed
sectons represent the surfaces of maximum Hooding
(downlap surfaces on sismic profiles). However
the relative thikness of th represents the
relaive nitude ofthe condensed sections associ-
ated with these surfaces.
39. The mtude term sea level variations on
the curves is estimated, as in the mtdhod described
by J. Hardenbol, P. R. Vail, and J. Ferrer [Ocanet.
Aca 4 (suppl.), 31 (1981)], with a high value (in
Campanian) adopted fron the estimate of C. G. A.
Harrion [in Sea Leve Choie, R. Revele, Ed.
(National Rearch Council, Washington, DC, in
press)]. The magnitude of short-term sea kvel rises
and fills has been estimated from seismic and se-
quence-stratigraphic data.
40. T. A. Davics, W. W. Hay, J. R. Southam, T. R.
Worskey, Scince 197,53(1977); T. R. Worslcy and
T. A. Davies, ibid. 203,455 (1979). _
41. J. A. Barronand G. Keller, Geolog 10, 577 (1982);
G. Keller and J. A. Barron, Get. Soc. Am. BxU. 94,
590 (1983); Geo, in prcss.
42. L. A. Mayer, T. H. Shipey, E. L. Winterer, Scienc
233, 761 (1986).
43. W. H. Berger and E. L. Wmtcrer, Spec. PubI. Int.
Assoc. Sedimtex. 1, 11 (1974).
44. B. U. Haq, MAr. Gad. 15. M25 (1973).
SCIENCE, VOL. 235
45. The Mesozoic and Cenozoic cyde charts presented
in Figs. 2 through 5 are the product of input and
interest of many colleagues, both inside and outside
EPR. The principal responsibility for the chronocu-
static framework, however, rested with the authors
of this artide. Input for the individual cyck charts
varied; the collaborators are listed at the bottom of
each cyde chart. We are grateful to all of these
participants and to many other colleaes for their
Important input, without which s Inthesis
would have been far less detailed. We thank R. G.
Todd and J. M. Widmier for their support for an
accurate global stratigraphic-eustatic framework and
for stimulating discussions on the subject. The
charts were drafted by D. Thornton. We thank
Exxon Production Research Company for givingz us
pernission to release the cyck charts and to pubish
this article.

Fertility Policy in China: Future Options

SuSAN GREENHALGH AND JOHN BONGAARTS

In May 1986 concern that changes in the age structure would put

Downloaded from www.sciencemag.org on December 14, 2011

A wide range of social, economic, and demographic
criteria are used to evaluate China's present one-child
policy and five alternative fertility policies that might
guide China's population control efforts until the end of
the century when the one-child policy is scheduled to be
abandoned. These criteria include the policies' macrode-
mographic impact on total population size and popula-
tion aging; their microdcmographic effects on the family's
ability to support the elderly, its economic capabilities,
and the position of women; and their cultural acceptabil-
ity to the majority Han Chinese population. The results
suggest that the least desirable strategy is to retain the
present policy; all the two-child alternatives perform
better than the current one-child policy in achieving the
policy goals considered.
S INCE CHINA FIRST ADOPTED STRONG BIRTH CONTROL POLI-
cies in the early 1970s, there has been a dramatic fall in
Chinese fertility. Under the wan xi shao policy (literally "late,
sparse, and few," a policy calling for later childbearing, longer
spacing, and fewer children) in effect during the 1970s, the total
fertility rate, the most widely used fertility measure, dropped from
5.93 births per woman in 1970 to 2.66 births in 1979 (1). The one-
child policy introduced in 1979 has pushed fertility even lower: by
1984 the total fertility rate had dropped to 1.94, slightly below the
level required for population replacement (2).
In part because of the policies' demographic success and in part
because of the political problems that stemmed from efforts to
shrink family size very rapidly, in 1984 and 1985 China's leaders
took steps to relax birth-planning policy. An important shift in
policy direction occurred in April 1984 with the issuance of Central
Document 7 by the Party's Central Committee. (Central Committee
documents on various issues are numbered from 1 each year.) Under
this document the conditions under which couples may have two
children were expanded and reforms were called for in policy, work
style, organization, and ideology that were designed to increase
voluntary participation through better meshing of the policy with
the needs of the people (3). Further relaxation occurred in early
1985, when the Central Committee changed its target for the year
2000 from 1.2 billion to about 1.2 billion-an apparently small
change, but one that indicates a notable increase in flexibility on the The authors are associate and senior associate, respectively, of the Centcr for Policy
critical issue of population goals.
6 MARCH I987
upward pressure on the birthrate during the coming decade was
reflected in Document 13, which supersedes Document 7 as the
guiding statement on fertility policy (4). Although many of the
moderate elements introduced by Document 7 are continued in this
directive, its central message appears to be that cadres must take
stronger measures to ensure that birth targets are met during the
seventh 5-year plan period (1986 to 1990). In late 1986 mounting
evidence that fertility was rising after several years of decline led
Premier Zhao Ziyang to advocate in an early December speech that
a renewed emphasis be placed on the one-child limitation (5).
Despite these indications that the policy is becoming more restric-
tive again, the question of which elements from the more relaxed
phase can be maintained in the late 1980s and the 1990s without
jeopardizing achievement of the century-end target appears unre-
solved at the political center. The optimal mix of policy elements is
also the subject of a lively debate among scholars.
From speeches and articles that have been published in the past
few years, it is clear that the range of factors considered in
population policy-making continues to widen. The sparse evidence
available from the 1970s suggests that one macrodemographic
consideration-total population size-dominated the decision to
initiate the one-child policy in 1979. Although population quantity,
combined with population quality, remain the central consider-
ations in the mid-1980s, several new concerns have also been raised
in academic and official circles: the cultural acceptability of fertility
policy, its effects on the physical safety of females, and its impact on
the rate of population aging (6).
Were these new considerations to be brought directly to bear on
fertility policy, it is not clear what shape that policy would take. Not
wishing to abandon the one-child policy for both substantive and
political reasons, China's leaders have tended to incorporate new
factors only by tinkering with the preexisting policy. With the
benefits of hindsight and the perspective of outsiders, we use these
new criteria and other factors to evaluate the present policy and five
alternative policies that might guide China's population control
efforts until the end of the century, when the one-child policy is
scheduled to be abandoned. We consider the macrodemographic
impact of these hypothetical policies on total population size and
population aging; the microdemographic effects on the family's
ability to support the elderly, its economic capabilities, and the
socioeconomic position of women (two factors Chinese leaders do
Studies, The Population Council, 1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017.
ARTICLES II67