International Chronostratigraphic Timescale

The interval definitions in this timescale are derived from the following sources:

  • K. M. Cohen, S.C. Finney, P.L. Gibbard and J.-X. Fan. 2023. The ICS International Chronostratigraphic Chart v2023/09. view
  • P. L. Gibbard, M. J. Head, and M. J. C. Walker. 2010. Formal ratification of the Quaternary System/Period and the Pleistocene Series/Epoch with a base at 2.58 Ma. Journal of Quaternary Science 25(2):96-102 view
  • J. A. Lillegraven and M. C. McKenna. 1986. Fossil mammals from the "Mesaverde" Formation (Late Cretaceous, Judithian) of the Bighorn and Wind River basins, Wyoming, with definitions of Late Cretaceous North American Land-Mammal "Ages". American Museum Novitates 2840:1-68 view
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, M. D. Schmitz and G. M. Ogg. 2020. Geologic Time Scale 2020 view
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, and A. G. Smith. 2004. A Geologic Time Scale 2004 1-589 view
  • F. F. Steininger, W. A. Berggren, D. V. Kent, R. L. Bernor, S. Sen and J. Agusti. 1996. Circum-Mediterranean Neogene (Miocene and Pliocene) marine-continental chronologic correlations of European mammal units. The Evolution of Western Eurasian Neogene Mammal Faunas (eds. R. L. Bernor, V. Fahlbusch, and H.-W. Mittmann) view
  • W. B. Harland, R. L. Armstrong, A. V. Cox, L. E. Craig, A. G. Smith and D. G. Smith. 1990. A Geologic Time Scale 1989. view

There are 59 timescales which overlap this one. show

Interval boundaries marked with * have been interpolated based on the differences between the ages for international timescale boundaries quoted in the source and the currently accepted ages for those boundaries.

Interval names marked with † are no longer in current use.

This timescale is used in the definition of 126710 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleCenozoic Subepochs of Southern EuropeCretaceous North American Land-Mammal AgesCambrian of ChinaCarboniferous of North AmericaEuropean Faunal UnitsOrdovician of Ibero-Bohemia
QuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayan0
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate PleistoceneTarantian0.0117
ChibanianIonian0.129
Calabrian0.774
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianVillanyian2.58
Ruscinian3.1 *
Zanclean3.6
MioceneMessinianTurolian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Vallesian8.7
SerravallianAstaracian11.63
Langhian13.82
BurdigalianOrleanian15.98
Agenian20
Aquitanian20.44
PaleogeneOligoceneChattian23.03
Rupelian27.82
EocenePriabonian33.9
Bartonian37.71
Lutetian41.2
Ypresian47.8
PaleoceneThanetian56
Selandian59.2
Danian61.6
CretaceousLate CretaceousMaastrichtianLancian/Edmontonian66
CampanianJudithian/Aquilan72.1
Santonian83.6
Coniacian86.3
Turonian89.8
Cenomanian93.9
Early CretaceousAlbian100.5
Aptian113
Barremian121.4
Hauterivian125.77
Valanginian132.6
Berriasian139.8
JurassicLate JurassicTithonian145
Kimmeridgian149.2
Oxfordian154.8
Middle JurassicCallovian161.5
Bathonian165.3
Bajocian168.2
Aalenian170.9
Early JurassicToarcian174.7
Pliensbachian184.2
Sinemurian192.9
Hettangian199.5
TriassicLate TriassicRhaetian201.4
Norian208.5
Carnian227
Middle TriassicLadinian237
Anisian242
Early TriassicOlenekian247.2
Induan251.2
PermianLopingianChanghsingian251.902
Wuchiapingian254.14
GuadalupianCapitanian259.51
Wordian264.28
Roadian266.9
CisuralianKungurian273.01
Artinskian283.5
Sakmarian290.1
AsselianBursumian †293.52
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelianVirgilian298.9
KasimovianMissourian303.7
Desmoinesian305.9 *
Moscovian307
Atokan312.7 *
Bashkirian315.2
Morrowan318.4 *
MississippianSerpukhovianChesterian323.2
Visean330.9
Meramecian335.8 *
Osagean343.1 *
Tournaisian346.7
Kinderhookian351.9 *
DevonianLate DevonianFamennian358.9
Frasnian372.2
Middle DevonianGivetian382.7
Eifelian387.7
Early DevonianEmsian393.3
Pragian407.6
Lochkovian410.8
SilurianPridoli419.2
LudlowLudfordian423
Gorstian425.6
WenlockHomerian427.4
Sheinwoodian430.5
LlandoveryTelychian433.4
Aeronian438.5
Rhuddanian440.8
OrdovicianLate OrdovicianHirnantianKosovian443.8
KatianKralodvorianBohdalec †445.2
Berounian449.7 *
Sandbian453
Zahorany †/ViniceLetna †456.2 *
Liben †458 *
Middle OrdovicianDarriwilian458.4
Dobrotivian458.5 *
Oretanian459.7 *
Sarka †461.7 *
DapingianKlabava †467.3
Arenigian468
Early OrdovicianFloian470
TremadocianTremadocian477.7
CambrianFurongianStage 10NiucheheanTaoyuanian †485.4
JiangshanianJiangshanian489.5
PaibianPaibian494
Waergangian †/Youshuanian494.9 *
MiaolingianGuzhangianGuzhangianWangcunian †497
DrumianDrumian500.5
WuliuanWuliuan/Taijangian504.5
Series 2Stage 4Duyunian509
Stage 3Nangaoian514
TerreneuvianStage 2Meishucunian521
Fortunian529
Jinnigian530.7
538.8