Abstract
RECENTLY Dr. K. I. Mayne, Dr. R. St. J. Lambert and D. York1 proposed an extended geological time-scale which would place the middle of the Upper Cambrian at about 650 million years ago compared with 450 million years of the Holmes scale2. Their scale is based primarily on the ages they obtained by the potassium–argon method on biotite from several British granites ; however, they cite many other age measurements for secondary support. It is the purpose of this communication to point out that most of the cases cited are either incorrect or not definitive to the argument. In addition, both they1,3 and Prof. C. F. Davidson3 refer at some length to our as yet unpublished isotopic study of the Swedish kolm. These comments contain errors of fact and interpretation which will be clarified by the full report which will appear elsewhere ; but in view of the widespread misconception concerning this interesting material some discussion appears needed at this time. The British granites referred to above are being remeasured in this laboratory and results will be reported later.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Mayne, K. I., Lambert, R. St. J., and York, D., Nature, 183, 212 (1959).
Holmes, A., Trans. Geol. Soc. Glasgow, 21, 117 (1947).
Davidson, C. F., Nature, 183, 768 (1959). Mayne, K. I., Lambert, R. St. J., and York, D., Nature, 183, 769 (1959).
Miller, D. S., and Kulp, J. L., Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union, 39, 525 (1958).
Miller, D. S., and Kulp, J. L., Econ. Geol., 53, 937 (1958).
Kulp, J. L., and Long, L. E., Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union, 39, 522 (1958).
Long, L. E., Kulp, J. L., and Eckelmann, F. D., Amer. J. Sci. (in the press).
Kruger, Fredrick C., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 57, 161 (1946).
Damon, P. E., and Kulp, J. L., Amer. J. Sci., 255, 697 (1957).
Hurley, P., et al., Atom. Energy Comm. Rep. NYO 3938 (December 1958).
Adams, J. A. S., Edwards, G., Henle, W., and Osmond, K., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 69, 1527 (1958).
Cobb, J. C., and Kulp, J. L., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 69, 1547 (1958).
Cobb, J. C., and Kulp, J. L. (to be submitted to Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KULP, J., COBB, J., LONG, L. et al. The Geological Time-Scale. Nature 184, BA62–BA63 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/184062a0b
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/184062a0b
This article is cited by
-
Potassium–Argon and Rubidium–Strontium Ages of some Granites from Britain and Eire
Nature (1960)
-
The Geological Time-Scale
Nature (1959)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.