Wuchiapingian
The age of the Lopingian interval (Permian), approximately 259.857–254.14 Ma according to the ICS June 2026 chart.
Language and route: Chinese locality/lithostratigraphic name (historic romanisation). Chinese locality/lithostratigraphic name (historic romanisation) → English. Named after Wuchiaping Limestone, Shaanxi, China.
Literal gloss: from Wuchiaping Limestone
The name and its history
Sheng (1962–1963 for stage/formation in historical reviews) · See attributed dates and cited original / standardisation works; first-use priority qualified where noted
- What does the word literally mean?
- From wuchiaping limestone. Immediate scientific language-route: Chinese locality/lithostratigraphic name (historic romanisation) → English. This is a locality-based or geographical term, not a description of a universal geological event.
- What did the original author mean?
- The Wuchiaping limestone/formational interval recognised in South China’s late Permian marine succession, subsequently treated as a stage.
- Why was the name needed?
- South Chinese fusulinid-rich limestones supplied a more correlatable marine upper Permian framework than alternative land-dominated successions.
- What evidence supported the original concept?
- Fusulinid correlations initially distinguished the unit; global base now fixed at Penglaitan by a conodont horizon.
- How has geology changed the concept?
- Now the earliest of two Lopingian stages; is not equivalent to the original Wuchiaping Limestone as a material unit or its geographic extent.
Further historical context
*Naming and context.* South Chinese fusulinid-rich limestones supplied a more correlatable marine upper Permian framework than alternative land-dominated successions.
*Evidence and later scope.* Fusulinid correlations initially distinguished the unit; global base now fixed at Penglaitan by a conodont horizon. Now the earliest of two Lopingian stages; is not equivalent to the original Wuchiaping Limestone as a material unit or its geographic extent.
Editorial qualification
Published historical attributions vary between 1962 and 1963; do not claim the deepest derivation of the Chinese place-name.
Related names
Permian · Lopingian · Changhsingian · Conodont · Lithostratigraphy
Sources
- ICS International Chronostratigraphic Chart (June 2026) — Current formal unit, order, rank and numerical age
- Jin et al. (2006), Global boundary of Wuchiapingian, Episodes — Marine South China succession and earlier historical naming
- Jin et al. (1997), Permian chronostratigraphic subdivisions, Episodes — International decision to adopt Urals, Texas and South China tripartition