Meaning of golden spike | Babel Free

Definitions

A geologic marker created by a global event that leads to long lasting global changes recorded in the geologic record that can be used to indicate a change in a geologic time division such as an epoch, age, era.

Examples

“There was a further special problem when looking for a marker or definition of the Precambrian-Cambrian golden spike.”

“The AWG is working backwards, Finney says: normally, geologists identify strata that should enter the geological timescale before considering a golden spike; in this case, they’re seeking out the lower boundary of an undefined set of geological layers.”

CEFR level