Australian Stratigraphic Units Database: 17,500 Approved Geological Names

The Australian Stratigraphic Units Database (ASUD) is the national authority on stratigraphic names in Australia, containing about 17,500 currently approved names and over 36,000 variations. This information is based on over 16,000 published references and is maintained by Geoscience Australia on behalf of the Australian Stratigraphy Commission. The database originated in 1949 and has been maintained electronically since 1979.

Use Cases

• Validating stratigraphic unit names in geological publications based on the database's authority status.
• Researching the historical usage and superseded names of geological units based on recorded variations.
• Adhering to the Australian Code of Stratigraphic Nomenclature for consistent geological reporting.
• Cross-referencing geological literature based on the over 16,000 published references cataloged.

Strengths

• Contains about 17,500 currently approved stratigraphic names, providing a substantial authoritative list.
• Records over 36,000 name variations, offering historical context for nomenclature changes.
• Based on over 16,000 published references, ensuring a well-documented foundation.
• Maintained by Geoscience Australia as the national authority, implying official oversight.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for specific analytical tasks.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to its focus on Australian stratigraphy.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, on behalf of the Australian Stratigraphy Commission.

Collection Method

Compiled from published geological literature and maintained as an electronic register.

Time Range

Records originate from 1949 onwards, with electronic management since 1979.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-20 15:25:24.137501; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Australia