Sandbian

Sandbian
Chronology
Etymology
Name formality Formal
Usage information
Celestial body Earth
Regional usage Global (ICS)
Time scale(s) used ICS Time Scale
Definition
Chronological unit Age
Stratigraphic unit Stage
Time span formality Formal
Lower boundary definition FAD of the Graptolite Nemagraptus gracilis
Lower boundary GSSP Fågelsång section, Sularp Brook, Skåne, Sweden
55.7137°N 13.3255°E / 55.7137; 13.3255
Lower GSSP ratified 2002
Upper boundary definition FAD of the Graptolite Diplacanthograptus caudatus
Upper boundary GSSP Black Knob Ridge section, Oklahoma, United States
34.4305°N 96.0746°W / 34.4305; -96.0746
Upper GSSP ratified 2006

The Sandbian is the first stage of the Upper Ordovician. It follows the Darriwilian and is succeeded by the Katian. Its lower boundary is defined as the first appearance datum of the graptolite species Nemagraptus gracilis around 458.4 million years ago. The Sandbian lasted for about 5.4 million years until the beginning of the Katian around 453 million years ago.

Naming

The name Sandbian is derived from the village Södra Sandby (Lund Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden). The name was proposed in 2006.

GSSP

The GSSP of the Sandbian is the Fågelsång section (55.7137°N 13.3255°E / 55.7137; 13.3255) at Sularp Brook, east of Lund (Skåne, Sweden). It is an outcrop of shale and mudstone. The lower boundary of the Sandbian is defined as the first appearance datum of graptolite species Nemagraptus gracilis in that section.