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
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, M. D. Schmitz and G. M. Ogg. 2020. Geologic Time Scale 2020 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
  • D. H. Erwin and S. A. Bowring. 2004. Cambrian time scale. view
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, and A. G. Smith. 2004. A Geologic Time Scale 2004 1-589 view
  • M. O. Woodburne. 1987. A prospectus of the North American Mammal Ages. In: Woodburne, M. O. (ed.), Cenozoic Mammals of North America. University of California Press, Berkelery, CA 285-290 view
  • J. Alroy. 2000. New methods for quantifying macroevolutionary patterns and processes. Paleobiology 26(4):707-733 view
  • M. Freudenthal. 2006. Mammal Paleogene zones. personal communication 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

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 126142 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleNorth American Mammal Subages/ZonesCenozoic SubepochsMammal Paleogene ZonesCenozoic Subepochs of Southern Europe
QuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayan0
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate PleistoceneSheridanianLate PleistoceneTarantian0.0117
ChibanianMiddle PleistoceneIonian0.129
Cudahyan/Sappan0.21
CalabrianEarly Pleistocene0.774
Senecan/Rexroadian1.4
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianLate Pliocene2.58
ZancleanEarly Pliocene3.6
Late Hemphillian/late Early Hemphillian/early Early Hemphillian4.7
MioceneMessinianLate Miocene5.333
Tortonian7.246
Late Clarendonian/Early Clarendonian9.4
SerravallianMiddle Miocene11.63
late Late Barstovian/early Late Barstovian/Early Barstovian12.5
Langhian13.82
BurdigalianEarly Miocene15.98
Late Hemingfordian/Early Hemingfordian16.3
late Late Arikareean/early Late Arikareean/late Early Arikareean/early Early ArikareeanHarrisonian18.5
Aquitanian20.44
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianLate OligoceneMP 30/MP 29/MP 28/MP 27/MP 26MP 2523.03
Monroecreekian23.1 *
Geringian24.7 *
RupelianEarly OligoceneMP 24/MP 23/MP 22/MP 2127.82
29.5
EocenePriabonianLate Chadronian/Middle Chadronian/Early ChadronianLate EoceneMP 20/MP 19/MP 18/MP 17B/MP 17A33.9
37
BartonianMiddle EoceneMP 1637.71
Late Uintan/Early Uintan39.7
LutetianMP 15/MP 14/MP 13/MP 12/MP 1141.2
Twinbuttean/Blacksforkian/Gardnerbuttian46.2
YpresianEarly EoceneMP 10/MP 8 + 9/MP 747.8
Lostcabinian/Lysitean/Graybullian/Sandcouleean50.5
Cf3/Cf2/Cf154.9
PaleoceneThanetianLate PaleoceneMP 6MP 1 - 556
Ti6/Ti5/Ti4/Ti3/Ti2/Ti156.2
SelandianMiddle Paleocene59.2
To3/To2/To160.9
DanianEarly Paleocene61.6
Pu3/Pu2/Pu163.8
66