How were Geologic Time Scale Colors Chosen?

[Top Trilo]

A seemingly simple question with an answer I can't seem to find. How were the colors for the Geologic Time Scale decided? Recently I created a quick Geologic Time Scale to scale, shown below, and got curious as to how those colors were decided. Who decided yellow and orange would represent the Cenozoic or purple to represent the Triassic. Were they all decided at the same time by the same person or were they chosen over time? Did a single paper attempt to standardize all geologic maps by creating the color code we know today? And for how long have these colors been decided? There are probably many different color systems but the one I'm most interested in, is the one the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) has here.

 

[Bobby Rico]

I have no idea, just a question. Are the colours universally recognisable like Werner's 

Nomenclature or more modern colour systems such as Pantone ?

 

Nice idea for an modernist fine art painting . 

Edited September 23, 2023 by Bobby Rico

[DPS Ammonite]

The USGS has suggested colors for age units on maps. Have not compared them with the ICS units.

 

https://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/2005/11B01/05tm11b01.html

 

https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2007/3015/fs2007-3015.pdf

 

GSA timescale

 

https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/GSA/timescale/home.aspx

Edited September 23, 2023 by DPS Ammonite