Quaternary chronostratigraphy and the establishment of related standards

This paper represents a contribution by the Italian Commission on Stratigraphy to the ongoing discussion on the establishment of chronostratigraphic standards in the Quaternary. We will argue that the Quaternary, in general, is no exception when discussing the principles and procedures for the establishment of chronostratigraphic standards. The consolidated approach to use (open) marine sediments outcropping onland to harbour the golden-spike for the base of chronostratigraphic units is to be upheld even in the Quaternary. Plenty of significant sections are present, among other places, in Southern Italy, which has always been recognised as the type-area for the marine Quaternary since the early nineteenth century. We will also review the present situation of official or semi-official chronostratigraphic units and boundaries in the Quaternary with a view at contributing pragmatically to establish the best way forward for the ICS Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy in the next few years.