The term Quaternary, which mean fourth, was first put forth by Giovanni Arduino in Italy, when he sought to describe alluvial deposits found in the valley of the Po River in the mid-18th century. In the following years, other began to use the name to describe geologic phenomena which occurred during or after the glaciations that occurred during the Pleistocene period. As such, what many refer to as the ice age, is covered under Quaternary research. The period also extends to the present, which is referred to as the Holocene period.
However, as the term gained widespread usage, it was usually restricted to referring to specific local and regional divisions. During the 1970’s, the International Commission on Stratigraphy, or the ICS, began the process of producing a time scale that could describe geologic time internationally. A controversy arose related to the boundaries of the Pleistocene period, and the ICS proposed abolishing the term Quaternary. However, due to pressure from the International Union for Quaternary Research, the term was retained. Officially, however, it was not until the year 2009 that the Quaternary described youngest part of the Cenozoic, from approximately 2.6 million years ago to the present.

The International Union for Quaternary Research began in 1928, and they currently hold international congresses every four years. Many other organizations for the study of this period have existed or have existed since the 18th century. Many others are national groups that study the period in a specific region. In Australia, the Australasian Quaternary Association, AQUA, first met in 1986, and they intend to meet every two years, though meetings sometimes occur every three years. These national meetings usually include a field expedition to a location somewhere in Australasia. They have published a newsletter since 1973, and their website contains an archive of their publications from 1973 to 2000.

Quaternary research is a growing field of study. As the issues of global climate change become more apparent, the study of the current state of the earth, and its recent history, is becoming a very important venture.

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Jobs in the quaternary industry cater to the best-educated professionals in the Australian workforce. The tasks these jobs include are typically research-heavy, intellectual affairs that rely on employees abilities to consolidate and understand information. In order to participate, these workers must dedicate themselves to improving productivity, performance and sustainability scientifically.
The identifying characteristic of the quaternary industry is that, as a subset of the service sector of the three-sector hypothesis applied to economies, is that it is the most knowledge-based section. Information technology, consultation, R&D and education all fall under this categorisation, so in order to compete as a professional in the quaternary industry, you must be willing to undergo a good deal of mental training.
Financial planning and research and development both require workers who understand the long range effects of their actions on widespread markets, and who know how to track those effects for provable results. Without a strong background in the necessary maths and sciences needed to understand statistical information, those who apply for jobs in the quaternary industry cannot adapt to the fast pace of change. Since information technology and research and development dictate that the tools and equipment used for business must regularly morph to match the times, it’s difficult to work in these areas without an ability to modify one’s style to any new method as it comes.
http://ksjtracker.mit.edu/2011/04/29/wall-st-journal-smart-phones-as-sociobiological-data-loggers/

Jobs in the Quaternary Industry

INQUA Projects  2004-2007

INQUA Projects  2008 -2011

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