North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature, 76th Annual Meeting
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 (10:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00 Eastern time)
Virtual meeting held in conjunction with GSA Annual Meeting in Portland,
Oregon, U.S.A.
(Compiled by Janet L. Slate)
MINUTES
1. Call to Order of the 76th Annual Meeting (Commissioner
Johnston)
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Refer to attachment file: 1_76th Mtg Agenda NACSN
2021_final_updated.pdf
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Welcome to the 2nd, completely online annual meeting of the NACSN
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I hope that everybody is healthy and safe after such a challenging
year for many, personally and professionally
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We wanted to have this meeting in person or hybrid but there were
too many uncertainties, so we decide to choose the easy and simple
path of completely online, shown to be successful after record
attendance last year
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We hope to accommodate both in-person and online in future meetings
Called to order at 8:08 am MDT. Mic checks preceded call to order.
2. Roll Call (Commissioner Johnston)
- 24 NACSN Commissioners and 10 Commissioners at-large
For the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (3)
- Katherine A. Giles [2019-2022] present
- Doug Sprinkel [2020-2023] present
- Richard Denne [2018-2021] present
For the Association of American State Geologists (3)
- Berry H. (Nick) Tew [2019-2022] present
- David Dockery [2018-2021] present
- R. Matt Joeckel [2018-2021] Vice Chair 2021-2022 present
For the Geological Society of America (3)
- Jon J. Smith [2020-2022] present
- Gordon C. Baird [2020-2023] present
- Joe Hannibal [2018-2021] absent
For the U.S. Geological Survey (3)
- Lucy Edwards [2019-2022] present
- Julie Herrick [2020-2023] absent
- Nancy Stamm [2018-2021] present
For the Geological Survey of Canada (3)
- Lynn Dafoe [2019-2022] present
- Robert MacNaughton [2020-2023] present
- Jim Haggart [2018-2021] present
For the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (2)
- John-Paul Zonneveld [2020-2023] present
- Brian R. Pratt [2018-2021] present
For the Geological Association of Canada (2)
- Frank Brunton [2019-2022] present
- John W. Johnston [2020-2023] Chair, 2020-2021 present
For the SEPM Society of Sedimentary Geology (2)
- Howard Harper [2019-2022] present
- Marie-Pierre Aubry [2018-2021] absent
For the Servicio Geológico Mexicano (1)
- Rosario Isabel López-Palomino [2017-2021] absent
For the Asociación Mexicana de Geólogos Petroleros (1)
- Hilarión Sánchez Hernández [2017-2020] absent
For the Sociedad Geológica Mexicana (1)
- René Alejandro Téllez Flores [2020-2023] absent
For the Instituto de Geología de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (1)
- Fernando Núñez Useche [2019-2022] present
Commissioners-at-large (10)
- Carlton E. Brett [2017-2022] present
- Mike Easton [2018-2021] present
- Ismael Ferrusquía-Villafranca [2020-2022] present
- Stanley C. Finney [2018-2021] absent
- Richard H. Fluegeman [2016-2022] present
- Ed Landing [2018-2021] absent
- Norman P. Lasca [2018-2021] present
- Randall C. Orndorff [2018-2021] present
- Robert W. Scott [2019-2022] present
- Janet L. Slate [2020-2023] Vice Chair 2020-2021; Chair 2021-2022
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Quorum established. (Quorum for meetings has been set as one more
than half the members of the Commission.)
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Commissioners representing organizations: 18 of 24 present
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Commissioners at-large: 8 of 10 present
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Total commissioners: 26 of 34 present (76%)
3. Approval of the Agenda (Commissioner Johnston)
4. Introduction of New Commissioners and Guests (Commissioner
Johnston)
- Colombian Association of Petroleum Geologists and Geophysicists
- (ACGGP) and Colombian Society of Geology
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Valeria Mesa vmesa@fcien.edu.uy Uruguayan Geological Society
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Valeria Mesa and Andres Mauricio Valencia Quintero asked for a
chance to speak to the commission at this time because they can only
attend this morning and want to express their desire to join the
NACSN, indicating a mutual benefit. Valeria Mesa:
paleontologist/geologist; would like Uruguay to be included. Andres
Mauricio Valencia Quintero: would like Colombia to be included in
the NACSN.
- We will discuss this further in Agenda Item 24
5. Approval of Minutes of the 75th Annual Meeting (Thursday,
October 22, 2020) (Commissioner Johnston)
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Refer to attachment file: 5_75th Mtg Minutes NACSN 2020.pdf
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Minutes from the 75th NACSN annual meeting were distributed in
draft form, collated edits and additions to create the final draft,
distributed before this meeting
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No one had corrections or comments on 75th meeting minutes
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Asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the 75th NACSN
annual meeting
6. In Memoriam of Past Commissioners (Commissioner Johnston)
- Commissioner Nuñez comment about Dr. Jorge de Huelbes huelbes@igp.minem.cu Cuban Geological Service/Cuban Society of Cuban Geological Service/Cuban Society of
Geology. Fernando Nuñez spoke about Dr. Jorge de Huelbes; the Cuban
Geological Service plans to appoint someone else.
7. Recognition of Awards Received by Commissioners (Commissioner
Johnston)
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Emailed on Sept. 27th to all commissioners from Ismael
Ferrusquía-Villafranca:
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Commissioner Ismael Ferrusquía-Villafranca was designated an Honor
- Member of the Sociedad Mexicana de Paleontología in
- recognition of his outstanding academic career, and as chief
- promotor of founding this Academic Forum to share the efforts and
- results of the Mexican Paleontologic Community.
-
The Sociedad Geológica Mexicana named Ismael
- Ferrusquía-Villafranca Distinguished Member in recognition of his
- contributions to the Geology of Mexico.
-
The journal Paleontología Mexicana will publish in the
- forthcoming issue, a chapter on the academic career of Ismael
- Ferrusquía-Villafranca
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The journal Revista Maya de Ciencias Geológicas published in
- June an abridged vita of Ismael Ferrusquía-Villafranca.
-
Virtual applause ensued.
8. Chair’s Report (Commissioner Johnston)
(Bullets below were sent from 2021 Chair John Johnston to 2021 Vice
Chair Janet Slate.)
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Thank you to all the commissioners that helped me in my inaugural
position as chair as this was the first time I have been chair in
any large and prestigious organization such as this.
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I was honoured to represent the commission and forge ahead in a
global pandemic.
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Major health issues with me and my family made it very challenging,
but I persisted.
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Worked with Commissioner Haggart and Slate on the Minutes from the
75th NACSN annual meeting, taking an incredible long time to
compile but happy that we recorded what was discussed. Had them
proofread and distributed to the commission.
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Numerous pieces of correspondence via email included AGI’s
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement, NACSN-sponsored sessions
at GSA, adding chemostratigraphy to the code, the 2021 Stratigraphic
Code, and potential commissioners with Latin America.
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Helped encourage and sort out sessions at GSA during a global
pandemic.
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Helped circulate a draft proposal to add chemostrat to the code and
solicited input.
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Dealt with the challenge of setting up the 2021 virtual meeting in a
global pandemic.
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Organized meeting date and time by setting up a Doodle Poll.
Decision based upon tally and presenting commissioners.
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Prepared and circulated a draft agenda and solicited input in
advance of the meeting.
-
Brainstormed to create an educational plan and improved link between
university students and Stratigraphy classes to the NACSN.
9. Vice Chair’s Report (Commissioner Slate)
10. Report on AGI Business (Commissioner Lasca)
In May, vision and change to geosciences report—ongoing for 6 years.
Undergrad education needs to be transformed. By 2028, AGI estimates
30,000 geosciences positions. Download available on website. Call for
nominations and medal recipients—proposed Lucy Edwards for Campbell
medal—members should add letters to support nomination. Diversity and
inclusion committee seeks members; contact susan.sullivan@colorado.edu
for nominations. Pandemic changes: How to disseminate info going
forward; sociopolitical filters—consider locale. Howard Harper spoke
on SPG/AAPG merger. Randy Orndorff: AGI has a new executive
director—former state geologist of Florida—John Arthur; Nick Tew
echoed sentiments of good choice for AGI.
11. Report on IUGS and ICS (Commissioner Finney)
Not present—postponed
Picked up in afternoon session—it was a bad year for meetings; refunds
from the IUGS are being done by bank transfer; folks have till the end
of the month (Oct) to get this done; the [?] stage in Japan
approved; [subepochs…?]; subseries approved for the Miocene
12. Report on ISSC (Guest Piller)
Werner Piller: working on articles; latest Stratigraphy chapter is
nearly finished[; asked ? and ? to join writing (?) group];
biostratigraphy—Werner asked [?] to join group to set frame for
chapter; ongoing but optimistic for 2023 submission; subseries and
subepochs—not formalized but recently formalized for
Quaternary—proposing formalization for entire column including
Cenozoic; in March, IUGS recommended inclusion as formal units…?
Neogene stratigraphy subcommission voted for inclusion; journal editors
need to be informed. Auxiliary boundary stratotypes are needed to fully
characterize stages and other chronostratigraphic units—basal horizons
usually defined; GSP(?) comes first; global boundary but regional
boundaries need to be defined too; unit boundary stratotypes—working
with 3 people (names?). Anthropocene is still under consideration.
Carl Brett wrote: I fully concur with Werner that auxiliary stratotypes
are needed to fully characterize stages and other chronostratigraphic
units.
Lucy Edwards: ISSC thinks Anthropocene is useful but does not belong as
a stratigraphic unit on the chart. Quaternary geologists need to know.
Werner responded: Anthropocene is already established, but he agrees
with Lucy’s comments.
Carl Brett wrote [@8:52 am], but goes with Agenda item #24—future
directions:
I still seem to be unable to broadcast. Not sure why. So for once I
cannot add my spoken words.
I simply want to support Ed Landing’s proposal for our next meeting
(when I hope to be able to speak). In brief, Ed suggests the following
“I would like to introduce the idea at the 2021 meeting that the North
American Code should provide a recommendation that authors and editors
can cite as a basis for limiting the continued use of synonymous formal
geologic units.”
I completely concur with Ed that there is a problem with state-line,
county-line etc. changes in lithostratigraphic unit names. Working as I
do in the Cincinnati Tri-state area I realize this as an acute problem
as you can imagine with Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky all using different
names for the same unit.
As with Ed, I would like to see a Remark in the Code that addresses this
issue and encourages synonymization of duplicate names for the same
units at political boundaries and encourages a “law of priority” that
generally opts for the first used name to be used in all areas where a
unit is exposed.
Ed’s suggested wording follows:
Under Article 7. Name. (a new remark)
Remark (f). Limitation and abandonment of synonymous stratigraphic
names.
The Code emphasizes that formally named stratigraphic units should serve
a “clear purpose” (Article 5), has provided recommendations for their
naming, and discourages the duplication of names by homonymy (Article
7c). By this logic, the maintenance and proliferation of synonymous
stratigraphic names is discouraged. Although long a practice, the
geographic restriction of formal stratigraphic units by political
boundaries (i.e., state-state, state-province, and even county-county
lines) is discouraged for stratigraphic units that are lithologically
similar/identical, have comparable upper and lower contacts and
stratigraphic architecture, and are of the same age in adjacent
political areas. As an example, an upper Lower Cambrian quartz arenite
in NE Laurentia has many local names: Bradore (Labrador, E Quebec, west
Nfld), Cheshire (VT, MA), Poughquag (most of eastern NY), Lowerre (SE
NY), Hardyston (northern PA, NJ), Anteitum and Helenmode (S. Pa). All of
these names are probable synonyms, with the NY-NJ-PA “quartzite
formations” brought into undoubted synonymy with the oldest named unit,
the Cheshire. Scientific writers, editors, and journals must encourage
synonymy and the use of one formal stratigraphic name for identical but
differently named units that are only separated by a modern political
boundary. Maintenance of multiple synonyms for identical/very similar
stratigraphic units only separated by modern political boundaries must
be rigorously defended.
Howard Harper: Is there a summary document that outlines cap/lowercase
of geologic time terms for geology editors?
Werner: No, but could be produced. He will try to manage that.
Lucy: USGS GNC fact sheet. Currently, out of date with regard to the
Quaternary.
Janet Slate put the following in the chat: Divisions of Geologic Time,
USGS Fact Sheet 2018–3054:
https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2018/3054/fs20183054.pdf
Marie Pierre Aubry (faintly): international strat chart…(?) until
conference in Graz, include chronostratigraphy—will try this afternoon
Brian Pratt: about Werner’s comment that “the Anthropocene is here to
stay” he wrote the Canadian Science Publishing that the Anthropocene is
not an accepted chronostratigraphic term
Lucy: yesterday, suggested by [(?)], Anthropocene considered a
geologic event rather than a chronostratigraphic term
Gordon Baird: Anthropocene in line with historical terms rather than
geology
13. Report on the NACSN Archives (Commissioner Lasca)
Established 15-20 years ago; they go back to 1940; please submit any
archival material; will be transposed to hardcopy; please print and send
to Norm; copy Norm on all NACSN correspondence
14. Report on the NACSN Website (Commissioner Herrick)
Randy Orndorff (for Julie): working with Julie; Brian Pratt, Randy, and
Julie contacted GSA about hosting our website; Randy sent content so GSA
could see; Julie was going to get an update—she’s not on the call
today though
Brian Pratt: agrees that GSA is the right place to house our files;
Jeanette Hammond was the point person at GSA
15. Report on Latin American Geoscience Societies (Commissioner
Núñez)
- Refer to attachment: 15_Letter from Cuban Geological Service
(IGP).pdf
Fernando Nuñez: in touch with institutions from… which
countries[(?)]; problems with nomenclature; financial support to
participate; hybrid meetings enable distant members to participate;
countries: Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay
([others?])
Ismael Ferrusquia: geological services/institutions need to require
their geologists to follow the code; make every effort to get the code
across to countries; support from editors to require authors to follow
the code
Robert Scott wrote: Expanding the North American to the American Code
would be a tremendous advancement for future geoscientists. He agrees
and seconds Ismail and Fernando.
Fernando Nuñez: suggests that one person for each country in Latin
America is represented in the NACSN—perhaps become ACSN then (?)
Randy Orndorff: he represents (?) for the geological map of the world;
in Feb/March 2022, the committee will meet and suggest (?)
Fernando Nuñez: working to translate the code into Spanish
Lucy Edwards: Spanish version is in good shape because Fernando already
translated the 2005 version
Valeria Mesa wrote: I would be delighted to help with translation,
Fernando
Brian Pratt: not much buy-in from Mexican petroleum company; should we
try again?
Fernando Nuñez: he could try to contact them
Howard Harper: pertaining to language, do we need a Portuguese version
of the code? Spanish versions may differ from country to country—does
that need to be addressed?
Nancy Stamm wrote: Commissioner Nunez--may I have a copy of the Spanish
translation of The Code to post on the U.S. Geological Survey geologic
names lexicon website?
Brian Pratt wrote: Brazil has a detailed code in Portuguese that is
based on the North American code.
Robert MacNaughton: petroleum geologists association and/or
company—association vs. company is a distinction to consider for
admission to the commission
Brian Pratt responded: not really?
Andres Mauricio Valencia Quintero wrote: I'm also happy to help with
the Spanish translation of the code
16. Update on Formalizing Biochron in the Code (Commissioner Aubry)
Postponed to get Marie Pierre Aubry’s connection worked out.
Nothing has been done—perhaps next year will have something to report.
17. Update on Inclusion of Chemostratigraphy in the Code
(Commissioner Scott)
Robert Scott: incorporate into final doc; chemozones need clarification;
defined and named in one succession; use Roman numerals to define;
clarify the process with examples; informal subdivisions need to be
designated; reference section needs designation; how an event relates to
a chemozone; can vote remotely for these
Lucy Edwards: complicated; proposed changes are not just editorial; need
to be thoroughly reviewed; as an example, if biostrat and chronostrat
say body of rock, and chemostrat includes ice (for example), does ice
apply to all?
Randy Orndorff wrote: I agree with Lucy. Things in new articles will
need to be checked that they don't impact other parts of the code.
Robert Scott: does not need to imply that this change applies to all
parts of the code
Lucy Edwards: adding ice to one part of the code but not to others is
confusing; dividing into two, one part cannot take the name; undesirable
but not forbidden; certain stratigraphers disagree—ought to be
forbidden; chemostrat should not have its own rules; too important to
put to a vote right now; can’t fairly vote on this right now
Howard Harper wrote: I agree with Lucy --- but maybe we need to just
add what Lucy wants to do
Robert Scott: will fix it up, ready to distribute in a few minutes
Lucy Edwards: what was published a few years ago vs. proposed changes;
side-by-side comparison—what was published in Stratigraphy vs. new
version
Werner Piller: did not follow new changes; comments or concerns—still
have unique geochemical properties in changed version (definition) but
not really dealing with unique geochemical properties; mapability of
zones in question; focus on Cretaceous; how do we deal with chemozones
in Cambrian(?) Does it include only the peak or the entire excursion?
Complete chemozone concept needs to be established
Howard Harper wrote: I also agree with Werner's 'uniqueness' of data
that is 'high' or 'low', etc.
Robert Scott: oxygen isotope stages for Neogene, trying to establish
consistently elsewhere, throughout the Phanerozoic; treat same way as
different lithological units; guidelines need to be established; Ed
Landing…(?) do or do not do this? Wants to get entire commission’s
thoughts
John Johnston: suggests a pause for break; Robert Scott to send document
for action
Resumed meeting at 12:08 p.m. (Mountain time)—some were on the Teams
link sent earlier; John sent a new link 10 min before the afternoon
meeting
Robert Scott: reviewed changes in doc he sent during the break;
Carl Brett (from Ed Landing): use the [more (?) including]
clathrates
Ed Landing: a unique type of chronostratigraphic unit
John-Paul Zonneveld wrote: Looks great Bob! Thanks for all of your work
on this.
Howard Harper: could not unmute—cancelled out of meeting and returned
later
Marie Pierre Aubry: excursions are difficult to designate beginning and
end; not suitable to replace excursion with chemozone; cannot be
replaced by boundaries; e.g., Paleocene/Eocene boundary documented in
deep sea, but difficult to agree on top and base of excursion, that is,
relative to chemozones; the excursions will not appear the same in
different sections; suggests deleting section on excursions as
chemozones—they are different; don’t replace “excursion” with
“chemozone”
Randy Orndorff wrote: I have had trouble fitting excursions, which are
events into "zones". The excursions are in the literature.…will
they be changed to chemozones?
Ed Landing: chronostratigraphic units do not have a lower boundary;
biostrat zones defined by many different/diachronous features; lowest
occurrence of a taxon is diachronous
Robert Scott: what about change language to “may”?
Howard Harper: what about diagenetic factors? Biostrat vs. chronostrat
Robert Scott: Mg/Ca ratios would not be a chemostratigraphic unit
Nancy Stamm wrote: Not addressed in current proposal. Article. 33.c.
Lithic characteristics of lithodemes--A unit distinguished from its
neighbors only by means of chemical analysis is informal. How do these
types of units relate to a chemostratigraphic unit ?
Ed Landing: concerned about use and misuse; remove/exclude diagenetic
changes from the definition of a chemozone; syndepositional not
sufficient; needs to be clear/explicit
Robert Scott: are you suggesting that the definition be a
negative—what something is not—rather than positive? after
syndepositional
Carl Brett: dangerous to exclude diagenesis because a phosphate spike,
for example, may be useful
Lucy Edwards: Ed and Bob have two different concepts—one as a
chemozone as a subset of chronostrat and one is not; mixing concepts—a
bollide hitting somewhere is an event, where is the chemozone—rocks,
signal and event are mixed; no mix and match; concepts must be separate
Robert Scott: agrees that an event and chemozone are two different
items; if not clear, needs to be reworded; talking about physical units
in the rocks
Lucy Edwards: still not straightforward whether a chemozone is
interpretive or not; is a chemozone a record of chemical properties or
the time represented by the chemical properties? e.g., oxygen-isotope
zones as stratotypes; is the Quaternary community onboard? Chemical
properties in a rock type are not the same as the rock itself
Nancy Stamm wrote: I agree 100 percent with Lucy.
Stan Finney: representation of GSSP as diachronous misrepresents what’s
been done; only representative with a boundary and wealth of
stratigraphic signals; need to be able to correlate sections; one
species at lowest occurrence is an error—more is needed; correlation
is an interpretive process
Jim Haggart: GSA sessions on chemostratigraphy a few years ago to
solidify discussion; how much interaction has taken place with the wider
geochemical community?
Robert Scott: beyond the oral and poster sessions, no other discussions;
others would need to be invited; open to ideas and volunteers
Ed Landing: in response to Lucy, they have defined chemozones as
physical units; so he doesn’t understand her argument; in response to
Stan, chemozones are not devoid of context, same as in biostrat; what
does the geochemical community have to say? Are they using de facto
chemozones? Rock bodies considered in a succession and are being used in
the Cretaceous and parts of the Paleozoic. Nothing controversial here.
Marie Pierre Aubry: don’t have to have an excursion to have an
inflection point; excursion is a change and then a change back;
chemozone and excursion are different
Robert Scott: stratigraphers pick different boundaries
Richard Fluegeman: at the Phoenix GSA meeting, we discussed getting
input, e.g., Penrose or another such meeting, to define the topic better
Kate Giles wrote: A Penrose conference is a great idea!
Matt Joeckel: encountered time and time again
Nancy Stamm wrote: Perhaps the proposal is best suited in conjunction
with geochemistry standards.
John Johnston: Bob Scott, what are you proposing to the commission at
this point?
Robert Scott: a Penrose might be a good idea; someone needs to sponsor
and carry this—not him; needs to find an advocate; what we’ve produced
here appears that it will not go further
Howard Harper: proposes going through SEPM
John Johnston: anyone who volunteers to pursue this?
Richard Fluegeman: will be at GSA next week and will contact GSA about a
possible Penrose
Brian Pratt: suggests making changes and putting the doc in Stratigraphy
to get input from European colleagues; not ready to abandon process
Ed Landing: chemozone is defined by a particular author—definitions
may vary for the boundary as to onset or middle of excursion; OAEs and
Cambrian excursions are in use without a formal definition; anything
currently in the code can be modified
Werner Piller: what a chemozone means is not defined; what Ed is talking
about is an excursion; the excursion may not be identifiable in the rock
record
Brian Pratt: can we make some revisions and vote in a few months?
Lucy Edwards: no, changes to the code must be voted on at an annual
meeting; try to get input from the Quaternary community
Jim Haggart: commission could continue to work on this issue and be
prepared to vote on this issue next year
Ed Landing: agrees that a better discussion needs to be held with a
subcommission/subcommittee; Ediacaran used in Australia
Matt Joeckel: motions to revise Robert Scott’s document
Brian Pratt: seconds the motion
Jim Haggart: within the next 4 months as to specific changes to address
Randy Orndorff: what does a “no” vote mean on the motion?
Matt Joeckel: a “no” vote would mean tabled indefinitely
Jim Haggart: thinks the effort should be continued
Lucy Edwards: more time is needed, e.g., 4 months to review, 4 months to
revise/reconcile; 4 months to reconsider
Ed Landing: we can do this in 4 months
Robert Scott: would like feedback before Thanksgiving, e.g., by the
20th of Nov
John-Paul Zonneveld wrote: I assume we are talking American
Thanksgiving, not real Thanksgiving?
Robert Scott: comments from NACSN members sought by Dec 1;
revisions/reconciliation will be returned to the NACSN by Jan 1
Gordon Baird: not sure “where the string begins” to speed the process
along
Nick Tew: take it to a vote
Norm Lasca: need to make a motion to close the discussion first; motion
carries by unanimous approval
Matt Joeckel motions; Brian Pratt seconds; unanimous approval
John Johnston will set up a Teams folder for the NACSN to comment
18. Update on Formalizing Subseries in the Code (Commissioner Aubry)
Marie Pierre Aubry: Neogene subseries/subepochs have been positively
voted; Paleogene commission is not in favor of formalizing
19. 2021 version of the North American Stratigraphic Code
(Commissioner Orndorff)
-
Refer to attached file: 19_North American Stratigraphic Code
2021.pdf
- North American Stratigraphic Code, North American Commission on
Stratigraphic Nomenclature; Stratigraphy, Volume 18, No. 3, pp.
153-204 - online 16 Sep 2021.
https://doi.org/10.29041/strat.18.3.01
-
Ed Landing Email: For this reason, I would like to introduce the
idea at the 2021 meeting that the North American Code should provide
a recommendation that authors and editors can cite as a basis for
limiting the continued use of synonymous formal geologic units. I
believe that Carlton Brett and likely Brian Pratt can further
discuss this proposed Remark:
-
Under Article 7. Name. (a new remark)
-
Remark (f). Limitation and abandonment of synonymous
stratigraphic names.
-
The Code emphasizes that formally named stratigraphic units
should serve a “clear purpose” (Article 5), has provided
recommendations for their naming, and discourages the
duplication of names by homonymy (Article 7c). By this logic,
the maintenance and proliferation of synonymous stratigraphic
names is discouraged. Although long a practice, the geographic
restriction of formal stratigraphic units by political
boundaries (i.e., state-state, state-province, and even
county-county lines) is discouraged for stratigraphic units that
are lithologically similar/identical, have comparable upper and
lower contacts and stratigraphic architecture, and are of the
same age in adjacent political areas. As an example, an upper
Lower Cambrian quartz arenite in NE Laurentia has many local
names: Bradore (Labrador, E Quebec, west Nfld), Cheshire (VT,
MA), Poughquag (most of eastern NY), Lowerre (SE NY), Hardyston
(northern PA, NJ), Anteitum and Helenmode (S. Pa). All of these
names are probable synonyms, with the NY-NJ-PA “quartzite
formations” brought into undoubted synonymy with the oldest
named unit, the Cheshire. Scientific writers, editors, and
journals must encourage synonymy and the use of one formal
stratigraphic name for identical but differently named units
that are only separated by a modern political boundary.
Maintenance of multiple synonyms for identical/very similar
stratigraphic units only separated by modern political
boundaries must be rigorously defended.
-
Carlton said he could make comments on my proposed addition of a
remark on recommendation of reduction of stratigraphic synonyms.
Formal write up for 2022?
Randy Orndorff: 2021 version of the code has been published; appendices
updated; thanks Lucy, Nancy, and Julie; will send next-step version to
Norm
Howard Harper wrote: The Code DOI link gives an error to me.
Randy Orndorff: make sure that any changes suggested do not affect other
parts of the code
Lucy Edwards: Stratigraphy wanted the code done by mid-Sept so it could
be “sold” at GSA
Nick Tew wrote: Good job on this...
Doug Sprinkel: found it by copying and pasting doi
20. French Translation of the Code (Commissioner Haggart)
Jim Haggart: found the code in English and Spanish but not French;
sought many people to do the translation; found someone in the Quebec
City office of the GSC, Stephanie Larmagnat (ask Jim for
qualifications); asked that it be released as an open-file report of the
GSC (Canadian survey), which is planned; Fernando Nuñez offered to
update the Spanish version; website is woefully out of date; extend a
commendation to Stephanie and Fernando
Lucy Edwards: need to make sure that French edits do not change the
terminology
Marie Pierre Aubry: will verify the translation
Brian Pratt: previous French version was published by the French
ministry; is there a French code?
Marie Pierre Aubry: yes, but hasn’t seen the French code in many years
Mike Easton, Mike (NDMNRF): I can always get my colleague Manuel Duguet
to look at the translation to see how it reads. He was involved in the
French translation in Note 67. Michael
21. Revisions to the Code dealing with culturally insensitive
names (Commissioner
MacNaughton)
Robert MacNaughton: culturally insensitive names are an issue; Article 7
sets out rules for naming units but not for culturally insensitive,
archaic, or offensive names; in New Zealand, an offensive name was
abandoned; suggests that the NACSN sets out at the end of Remark A that
such names should be avoided; Remark C…; following Article 20,
suggests a name may be replaced if determined to be culturally
insensitive (ask for verbiage); asks how to move forward
Lucy Edwards: publish a note in Stratigraphy proposing an amendment;
wait 12 months till next meeting; recommends including all suggested
changes in Article 7 to avoid renumbering the code
Randy Orndorff: Lucy, can we change the Precambrian stuff, chronostrat,
CD-ROM at the same time?
Mike Easton (NDMNRF): It has already come up in Ontario with respect to
some informal lithodemic units.
Lynn Dafoe: I'm happy to continue being involved with the changes with
respect to culturally insensitive names.
Jim Haggart: offers to continue to be involved
John Johnston: offers to continue to be involved
22. Articles Committee Report (Commissioner MacNaughton)
- Refer to attachment file: 22_Articles Updates NACSN 2021.pdf
Robert MacNaughton: minor changes made after-the-fact; asking for
approval of current doc, not a future organizational name change;
motions that the report be approved
Brian Pratt: seconds motion
Motion carries by unanimous approval
Robert MacNaughton: suggests that a new committee be established to
develop a procedures document—day-to-day procedures, that is. Willing
to continue for another year as chair of the articles/bylaws committee
[2:28 PM] Werner Piller wrote: I have to leave now. Thanks for
invitation and all the best.
Jim Haggart: offers to become chair of the Articles/bylaws committee
Howard Harper: agrees to continue
Norm Lasca: agrees to continue
Lynn Dafoe wrote: A procedures document would be helpful to those of us
that are newer to the Commission.
Howard Harper: how the commission gets things done; including the duties
of the chair/vice chair; how changes to the code get made
Jim Haggart: using the SEPM guide as a template
Norm Lasca: we have a list of such duties, right?
Lucy Edwards: the outgoing chair is supposed to send it to the incoming
chair
[2:34 PM] Robert Scott (Guest): I need to be excused for family
duties.
23. Report of the Nominating Committee and Election of Officers for
2021–2022 (Commissioner Haggart)
-
Refer to attached file: 23_Membership NACSN 2021.pdf
-
Refer to attached file: 23 updated_NACSN Membership 2021 Summary.pdf
-
Discussion about changing term of Chair or Vice Chair from 1 year to
2 years?
Jim Haggart: Who had been nominated? Replacements hadn’t been
identified; review doc; contact Jim if changes need to be made; how many
at-large commissioners are needed and how long should the term be—3 yr
was the consensus; a lot of work to track all this down—we need more
members, e.g., a secretary
Lucy: in the past, it was the Chair’s job is to find new commission
officers; expand role of Vice Chair to seek commission officers
Randy Orndorff: stepped terms can get messed up; thanks due to
nominating committee
Lucy Edwards: motions that nominations be closed
Brian: seconds motion
By affirmation, nominations are closed
Nancy Stamm wrote: Thank You Jim for the list !!
Carl Brett wrote: Thank you Jim!
24. Discussion on Future Directions of NACSN
- Discussion on Inclusion of Central and South American Stratigraphers in NACSN (Commissioner Núñez)
-
Shown interest in joining the NACSN by attending (understand the
commitment?)
-
If everybody recognizes the mutual advantage/benefit, formal steps
are taken?
-
Request a letter from the organization they are representing,
understanding the commitment they are agreeing to?
Fernando Nuñez: representatives—one each from Central and South
America?
Norm Lasca: Ismael Ferrusquia worked on this idea some time back; happy
to see that Fernando has made progress
Lucy Edwards: could be more than one per country; articles will need to
be changed
Jim Haggart: some of our Mexican representatives have been absent over
the years; how to restructure the composition of the commission
Ismael Ferrusquia: proposes Pan-American Commission on Stratigraphic
Nomenclature
John Johnston: action item for Fernando is to seek out interested
parties
[2:56 PM] Valeria Mesa (Uruguay) (Guest) wrote: Fernando, perhaps I
can give you information about the other institutions in Uruguay that
are related to geology, So you can contact other people
Howard Harper: agrees that “Pan-American” is better than “American”
[2:57 PM] John-Paul Zonneveld (Guest) wrote: Agreed Howard!
- Discussion of Possible Junior Stratigrapher Commissioner-at-large
- (Commissioner Haggart)
Jim Haggart: one or two positions are proposed—if two, nominated in
alternate years for 2-yr terms; could provide a stipend; ideas on how to
advertise
Lucy Edwards: we don’t have money—where would a stipend come from?
Jim Haggart: eventually, we’ll get back to meeting in person; seek
funding from other organizations, e.g., $500; inform people about what
the commission does
Howard Harper: change description to “student and early career” rather
than “young”; stratigraphy and rules of stratigraphy
Lynn Dafoe: how would students be selected?
Carl Brett wrote: I think this is a great idea and I will be happy to
nominate one or more outstanding student CB
Howard Harper: simple application form and letters of reference
Lynn Dafoe: suggests a cover letter—perhaps two-page max
Howard Harper: agrees that a cover letter expressing their interest
would be valuable
Ed Landing: students or early career? Thinks both would be good—call
them adjuncts
Lynn Dafoe wrote: If 'early career' applicants are being considered,
you should indicate what this means... 5 years from PhD or 10 years.
Jim Haggart: thanks co-committee members…(names?)
Nick Tew wrote: I think this is an excellent concept, and we will
ultimately need a communication plan for making the program widely
known.
Discussion of Possible Session(s) at Conferences (Commissioner Johnston)
-
2022 Geological Society of America Meeting, 9–12 Oct. in Denver,
Colorado, USA
-
Ask for a volunteer, commissioner to investigate and organize this?
John Johnston: seeking ideas for Denver 2022 meeting
Nancy Stamm: consider a session focused on student and early career
stratigrapy
Richard Fluegeman: next year will be 75 years since Note 1 was published
Randy Orndorff wrote: Agreed, Nick. And Nancy's suggestion of GSA
session for early stratigraphers is a part of that.
John Johnston: asks for volunteer(s)
Robert MacNaughton: thinks Nancy’s suggestion is good; will the
student/early career positions be in place by then?
Jim Haggart: doesn’t see any reason why the student/early career
adjuncts could not be ready by then
Nancy Stamm: volunteers
Lucy Edwards: proposals for GSA sessions are typically due around the
end of January
Carl Brett: also volunteers
- Educational Video or Module(s)
-
Refer to attached file: 24_ 24_Stratigraphy Courses in North
America.xlsx
-
NACSN - Who is involved? What do we do and why? Commission and Code.
-
John create storyboard for video or module – complement website
text description
John Johnston: MS Excel spreadsheet of stratigraphy courses offered in
the US and Canada; asks for updates; seeking input from Mexico (asked
Fernando)
Carl Brett: do you want syllabi? Or what?
-
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn = choose platform
-
Commission members already using social media
-
Longevity (who and time period?), activity (how often?), review
process (?)
John Johnson: interested in helping to connect people through social
media
Carl Brett: issue of changes in names of geologic units across state
lines; plethora of names
Norm Lasca: Great meeting everyone. Sorry I have to leave and will miss
the last few items on the agenda.
Randy Orndorff: proposes the topic for next year because it will take
longer to resolve
Ed Landing: sent text to Carl comprising a new remark to Article 7
eschewing the name changes across state lines; obscures the unity of
geologic history
Lucy Edwards: suggests a GSA session on this topic
Nick Tew: Dave Sollers USGS project deals with this issue
Randy Orndorff: agrees—good USGS/AASG combo session
Nancy Stamm: state line issues is a larger issue than student/early
career session
[3:33 PM] Doug Sprinkel wrote: Brett I would very much like to see the
document as the Intermountain West has that problem as well.
John Johnston: combine the two sessions—reconcile
Julie Herrick wrote: I'm happy to volunteer to help with this, too.
[3:38 PM] Nick Tew wrote: I can help, as well.
25. Appointment of Nominating Committee for 2021–2022 (Commissioner
Johnston)
- Lucy Edwards, Lynn Dafoe, Howard Harper
John Johnston: the above agreed to serve
[3:39 PM] Howard Harper (Guest) wrote: Sorry all, i have to leave now.
Good meeting. Howard
26. Election/Renewals of Commissioners-at-large (Commissioner
Johnston)
- Mike Easton [2018-2021], Ed Landing [2018-2021], Norman P. Lasca
[2018-2021], Randy Orndorff [2018-2021]
John Johnston: by acclamation
27. Presentation of Scrolls (Commissioner Johnston)
-
To: Richard Denne [2018-2021], David Dockery [2018-2021], Matt
Joeckel [2018-2021], Joe Hannibal [2018-2021], Nancy Stamm
[2018-2021], Jim Haggart [2018-2021], Brian R. Pratt
[2018-2021], Marie-Pierre Aubry [2018-2021], Rosario Isabel
López-Palomino [2017-2021], Mike Easton [2018-2021], Stanley C.
Finney [2018-2021], Ed Landing [2018-2021], Norman P. Lasca
[2018-2021], Randy Orndorff [2018-2021]
-
Continuing: Richard Denne [2018-2021], David Dockery
[2018-2021], Matt Joeckel [2018-2021], Joe Hannibal
[2018-2021], Nancy Stamm [2018-2021], Jim Haggart [2018-2021],
Brian R. Pratt [2018-2021], Marie-Pierre Aubry [2018-2021],
Rosario Isabel López-Palomino [2017-2021], Mike Easton
[2018-2021], Ed Landing [2018-2021], Norman P. Lasca
[2018-2021], Randy Orndorff [2018-2021]
-
Thank Stanley C. Finney [2018-2021] for his service!
John Johnston: congratulates all
28. Adjournment of the 76th Annual Meeting (Commissioner Johnston)
-
Before I adjourn the meeting, I’d like to thank all the
Commissioners that worked so hard for the Commission during the last
year. Especially during a global pandemic. And for your support, as
I navigated through a very difficult path this past year with me and
my family.
-
It has been an honour, I really enjoyed serving as Chair of the
NACSN. The learning curve was so steep that I really didn’t catch on
until recently.
-
Thank you for the opportunity, it was a privilege to serve as your
Chair
-
Ask for a motion to adjourn the 76th NACSN annual meeting
-
Commissioner Slate has agreed to be Chair for 2021-2022. Approval by
acclamation.
-
Matt Joeckel has agreed to be Vice-Chair for 2021-2022. Approval by
acclamation.
[3:43 PM] Brett, Carlton (brettce) wrote: Doug Sorry not to respond.
Would be happy to talk to you re shared strat problems. Carl
Lucy motioned; J-P Zonneveld seconded; motion carries by unanimous
consent
29. Call to Order of the 77th Annual Meeting (Commissioner Slate)
30. Remarks by Incoming Chair (Commissioner Slate)
Directions for next year:
Inclusion of Chemostratigraphy in the Code (Commissioner Scott)
Revisions to the Code dealing with culturally insensitive names
(Commissioner MacNaughton)
Articles/bylaws Committee Report (Commissioner MacNaughton)
Discussion on Future Directions of NACSN
- **Discussion on Inclusion of Central and South American Stratigraphers
- in NACSN** (Commissioner Núñez)
- Discussion of Possible Junior Stratigrapher Commissioner-at-large
- (Commissioner Haggart)
- Discussion of Possible Session(s) at Conferences (Commissioner
- Johnston)
- changes in names of geologic units across state lines
[3:44 PM] Doug Sprinkel (Guest) wrote: Nice job John on a great
meeting.
[3:47 PM] Dafoe, Lynn (Guest) wrote: Awesome job, John!
(John Johnston liked)
[3:47 PM] Herrick, Julie A wrote: Great to see everyone! See you next
year!
