Towards Third Generation Stratigraphic Lexicon in Globle

A stratigraphic lexicon is a system of proper names assigned to specific stratigraphic units in a given area. As the fundamental units of geological mapping, these named rock units are compiled into national or regional stratigraphic scales or lexicons. These compilations provide standardized definitions and descriptions, serving as comprehensive knowledge repositories. They function as official documents or core components of geological databases. The development history of stratigraphic lexicons reflects the foundational role of geological science advancement and is closely intertwined with modern science and technology. Below is a structured overview of their evolution. of formalized stratigraphic lexicons emerged in the late 18th century, initially taking the form of handwritten index cards and internal reports. Later, comprehensive publications included the U.S. Geological Survey’s North American Geologic Formation Names by F.B. Weeks (1902) and Lexicon of Geologic Names by W.C. Wilmarth (1938), which launched a series of lexicons that continued until 1991. These works emphasized the importance of recording and publishing stratigraphic unit names to ensure stability, avoid duplication, and uphold publication priority. Between approximately 1956 and 1963, the compiled the Lexique Stratigraphique International. This landmark work, covering 51 countries and regions across 126 volumes, stands as the representative comprehensive and formalized stratigraphic lexicon of this generation. While its content remained relatively concise. Each named geologic formation was described in roughly 100 words on average, including name, age, type locality, references, and brief lithological characteristics. To reduce the overall volume, abbreviations and symbols were employed throughout the text. of stratigraphic lexicons developed after the 1976 publication of the International Stratigraphic Guide, adhering to the principles of multiple stratigraphic classification and defining the formal lithostratigraphic units. Each unit name was annotated using an outlined format with 10 numbered categories: age, geographic extent, references, lithology, color, thickness, distinctive features, subdivisions, adjoining units, and type section. This framework, introduced by Latterell (1981), became a de facto reference model for countries without existing lexicons or those revising their systems, despite variations in national formats and implementation methods. As a result, stratigraphic lexicons published by countries and regions from the 1980s onward were defined by their enhanced standardization. of dynamic stratigraphic lexicons emerged in the late 20th century, driven by advancements computer technology and database management systems. This period witnessed the transition from static printed publications to interactive, web-based relational databases. Notable examples include the U.S. National Geologic Map Database’s Geologic Names Lexicon, which curates detailed records for 16,005 stratigraphic units based on the foundational work of Mac Lachlan et al. (1996). The British Geological Survey’s Lexicon of Named Rock Units, first launched online in 2004, has undergone continuous iterative updates, with its 2017 revision representing the latest milestone in dynamic nomenclatorial management. Today, numerous countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, and Switzerland) host national online stratigraphic databases that provide real-time access to standardized unit information, including nomenclature, age constraints, lithological attributes, and geographic extent. These digital platforms are characterized by three key advantages: enhanced searchability through advanced query functions, real-time nomenclatorial updates, and simplified database maintenance workflows. However, most of these digital repositories were initially constructed through direct digitization of legacy print lexicons, geological maps, and heterogeneous geological literature, with minimal data transformation or semantic enrichment. The descriptive content remains constrained by the limitations of traditional print media, lacking the dynamic data integration, analytical interoperability, and semantic contextualization that define modern digital geoscience infrastructure. Consequently, these existing online lexicons represent a preliminary, digitization- only phase in the evolution of third-generation dynamic stratigraphic information systems. At the turn of the 21st century, China completed the compilation of its English-language stratigraphic lexicon (11 volumes) and began developing a cloud-native lexicon data service encompassing all formal stratigraphic units. A defining attribute of authoritative stratigraphic databases lies in the systematic revision and continuous curation of source information. In this context, lithological characterizations should transcend traditional field-observable criteria to incorporate multi-proxy analytical data, including environmental and climatic trends, biotic events, geochemical excursions, and magnetic reversal patterns preserved within the stratigraphic record. Furthermore, leveraging the intrinsic advantages of digital platforms requires full exploitation of digitization and visualization capabilities: precision georeferencing of type localities, integration of high resolution fossil zones and isotope dating to constrain unit age ranges, immersive panoramic imagery of field outcrops, and enrichment of multimedia content including stratigraphic logs, cross-sections, and geologic maps. The proliferation of intuitive graphical interfaces enhances the accessibility of stratigraphic information, facilitating public outreach and scientific communication. In essence, data digitization, content diversification, and presentation visualization represent the core developmental objectives of mature third-generation stratigraphic lexicons. Finally, we believe that the third-generation dynamic stratigraphic information system represents the future direction of geoscience.