Updating a Paleogene magnetobiochronological time scale through graphical integration

MethodsX. 2021 Feb 28:8:101291. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2021.101291. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

All studies focused on the evaluation of paleoecological variability over geological time must be linked to a specific age or time interval, which can be defined using different time scales (biostratigraphic, chronostratigraphic, geochronological or orbital). Therefore, integrated time scales are essential to allow comparisons of data from different locations and/or to assess evolutionary and other events through time. Here we use a new method to update a Paleogene magnetobiochronological time scale, with the following contributions:•The update of the Paleogene magnetobiochronological scale was made by graphical correlation with new age models and adding calcareous nannoplankton and planktonic foraminiferal biozones from different authors.•An excel file structure was proposed to plot any kind of data in MATLAB software, as long as they are associated with some of the scales shown in our updated version of Paleogene magnetobiochronology.•The excel file structure facilitates the analysis of long-term trends of taxonomic groups throughout the Paleogene, and of their evolution in a period characterized by intense climate variability.

Keywords: Age model; Biostratigraphy; Chronostratigraphy; Geochronology; Paleogene; Time scale.