Problems of holocene lithostratigraphy

Abstract

Many lithostratigraphic units have been introduced in the geological literature without clear definitions. This has led to serious problems, especially in cases where various authors have used the same name with apparently different meanings. Holocene lithostratigraphy knows the same problem, but there are two more important disturbing factors: (1) many sedimentary units are still being formed, thus prohibiting a unit delineation on the basis of both the lower and the upper boundary; (2) much field work is carried out by scientists who are interested in the ecological and sedimentary development of the area or in the land-use potential rather than in its purely stratigraphic aspects. This implies that the existing definitions are often based upon a non-lithostratigraphic aspect. In order to solve these problems it is suggested that Holocene lithostratigraphic units should be defined by their lower boundary and their lithological characteristics. Some examples are mentioned to illustrate the practical and theoretical possibilities.