Talk:Geologic time scale

Feedback

As a non-expert I took a quick look at this article based on a request for feedback on the Geology project Talk.

I think the ICC, ICS, etc makes the article less approachable. I would start by moving 'Major proposed revisions to the ICC' down or even in to a separate article. This content is very detailed for the overall topic. Throughout the article I would avoid the acronyms or at least group them in to one paragraph for a section. The concept of these organizations is important for the article but their operating details are not. For example, the second sentence of Terminology,

• These are represented on the ICC published by the ICS; however, regional terms are still in use in some areas.

could easily go at the end of the section. Similarly the second paragraph of Principles.

The critical "Principles" section is too short. Rather than the bullet list, consider wp:summary paragraphs.

I would swap the order of "Divisions of geologic time" and the stuff before it which is full of VeryBigWords. The divisions section has more common words that readers can relate to.

I don't understand why there are two tables.

HTH. Johnjbarton (talk) 02:40, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

Hi Johnjbarton,

Thanks for the quick feedback, particularly as a non-expert. I'll have a go at implementing some of these suggestions shortly.

Do you think the proposed revisions section warrants its own article? Personally, I think it is a bit light for its own article, but agree that it has quite a lot of detail. I'd happily move it below the "Table of geologic time", and above, "Non-Earth..."

With reference to "Divisions of geologic time" and stuff before it, are you suggesting I move the divisions part ahead of "Chronostratigraphy is..."? I understand the VeryBigWords point you are making – I had placed the text as current so the terms like chronostratigraphic unit are defined prior to their use in the divisions.

There are multiple tables, which two are you referring to? Jarred C Lloyd (talk) 04:38, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

When I started on wikipedia I thought that articles should have a similar length. Now I think that the variety of lengths is a big advantage. Each article can be as long as needed to cover the topic and no more. A separate article on the "proposed revisions" would be free of the requirement to match the level of readers trying to understand "geologic time scale" for the first time. It could use ICC jargon without confusing the reader.

I also have a different suggestion: move the ICC revisions content to International Commission on Stratigraphy. Seems like that would make this article and the Commission article stronger.

I suggest describing "chronostratigraphy" and "geochronologic", perhaps less formally, in the first paragraph of Principles and again in Divisions. Maybe break it down, "time-layers" and "rock-dating". These words are key. Any reader who fails to understand or is put off by these words cannot proceed.

I was referring to the compound table in "Naming of geologic time" and long one in "Table of geologic time". I see now why you have two. I think the "Table of geologic time" should come much earlier as this is what many readers imagine the article will discuss. Maybe the Naming table could be in History? Johnjbarton (talk) 15:43, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

Comments from Cas Liber

I reckon go for Good Article status first. Much easier and will give feedback that is essential for FAC.

If a plain word can be substituted for a jargon word without losing meaning then do it

every sentence should be referenced - putting comments in like this can make for easier reading

article has only 22 kb readable prose, so could be expanded to double the size before it needs splitting.

Good luck. Busy right now - will look more later. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 05:20, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

Thanks Cas Liber,

On some feedback at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Geology, I think GAN will be a sensible option in future. Currently it will fail immediately under the verifiable references criteria, mainly due to the "Table of geologic time" where people have added to the events column over many years without citing sources...it will be a Hurculean task to rectify this. I think it will be good to work on improving the rest of the article first where possible, then attempt to address that issue. Jarred C Lloyd (talk) 10:05, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

New edition of ICS chart

There is a new edition of the ICS stratigraphy chart (as of December 2024 - https://stratigraphy.org/ICSchart/ChronostratChart2024-12.pdf ).

Here is a list of changes: https://stratigraphy.org/ICSchart/ChangeLog2012-2024.txt

Should these be included in their respective articles? IvarTheBoneless123 (talk) 16:27, 24 December 2024 (UTC)

Yes, despite its recency, this source has extensive review and a track record. Johnjbarton (talk) 17:41, 24 December 2024 (UTC)

Error on first diagram reg. Appearance of first Hominins: 2 MYA instead of 6-7 MYA

Timing on first Picture of the Article states wrong first Hominins 2MYA: Lucy's (the famous Astralopithecus) skeleton with upright walking was dated 3+ MYA, and we separated from our with the Chimpanzees common ancestors around 6.5 MYA. The oldest group of hominins walking on two legs (bipedalism) found to date are the species Sahelanthropus tchadensis and Orrorin tugenensis found in Chad and Kenya who date back 6-7 MYA (acc. to History of the World Map by Map, p. 12f, published by Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2023) Spetkoff (talk) 08:29, 6 November 2025 (UTC)

2mya marks the appearance of the genus Homo, you're right. @Jarred C Lloyd: would it be possible for you to either change the label or the time? Thanks, Mikenorton (talk) 10:25, 6 November 2025 (UTC)

@Mikenorton will work on this fix early next week. Jarred C Lloyd (talk) 21:10, 15 January 2026 (UTC)

Referencing error in table of geologic events

I've realised I've screwed up some of the references in the table. I've worked out what I've done and how to fix it, so please bear with me while I sort it. Silica Cat (talk) 18:46, 16 December 2025 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: Global Environmental Science

This article is currently the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 9 January 2026 and 7 March 2026. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Kbkouk62312 (article contribs). Peer reviewers: Lgorman0812.

— Assignment last updated by User104416 (talk) 16:38, 10 February 2026 (UTC)

Peer Review- I like the idea of taking the bigger wording out and adding content easier to the eye. Sometimes when we are engaged in topics we want to know more information about, it's hard to grasp all the educational content if it doesn't make any sense from a first time readers point of view. I agree with you on changing the way it is written for people to better understand. I also think it would be nice to see the breakdown of "Rock Dating" and "Time Layer". Excited to see the article when you complete it. Lgorman0812 (talk) 16:59, 21 February 2026 (UTC)