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
  • M. Freudenthal. 2006. Mammal Paleogene zones. personal communication view
  • J. I. Raine, A. G. Beu, A. F. Boyes, H. J. Campbell, R. A. Cooper, J. S. Crampton, M. P. Crundwell, C. J. Hollis, and H. E. G. Morgans. 2015. Revised Calibration of the New Zealand Geological Timescale: NZGT2015/1. GNS Science Report 2012(39) 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
  • B. D. Webby. 1998. Steps toward a global standard for Ordovician stratigraphy. Newsletters in Stratigraphy 36:1-33 view
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, and A. G. Smith. 2004. A Geologic Time Scale 2004 1-589 view
  • F. J. Prevosti, C. O. Romano, A. M. Forasiepi, S. Hemming, R. Bonini, A. M. Candela, E. Cerdeño, M. C. Madozzo Jaén, P. E. Ortiz, F. Pujos, L. Rasia, G. I. Schmidt, M. Taglioretti, R. D. E. MacPhee, and U. F. J. Pardiñas. 2021. New radiometric 40Ar–39Ar dates and faunistic analyses refine evolutionary dynamics of Neogene vertebrate assemblages in southern South America. Scientific Reports 2021(11):9830 view
  • J. J. Flynn and C. C. Swisher, III. 1995. Cenozoic South American Land Mammal Ages: correlation to global geochronology. Geochronology Time Scales and Global Stratigraphic Correlation, SEPM Special Publication 54:317-333 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 126147 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleMammal Paleogene ZonesCenozoic SubepochsSouth American Land Mammal AgesCenozoic Subepochs of Southern Europe
QuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayan0
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate PleistoceneLate PleistoceneLujanianTarantian0.0117
ChibanianMiddle PleistoceneIonian0.129
Ensenadan0.3 *
CalabrianEarly Pleistocene0.774
SanandresianUquian †1.7 *
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianLate PlioceneVorohuean2.58
Chapadmalalan2.9 *
ZancleanEarly Pliocene3.6
Montehermosan3.7 *
Huayquerian4.9 *
MioceneMessinianLate Miocene5.333
Tortonian7.246
Chasicoan7.9 *
Mayoan9.9 *
Laventan10.9 *
SerravallianMiddle Miocene11.63
Colloncuran13.7 *
Langhian13.82
Friasian15.4 *
BurdigalianEarly Miocene15.98
Santacrucian16.2 *
Colhuehuapian17.4 *
Aquitanian20.44
Deseadan20.9 *
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianMP 30/MP 29/MP 28/MP 27/MP 26MP 25Late Oligocene23.03
RupelianMP 24/MP 23/MP 22/MP 21Early Oligocene27.82
Tinguirirican28.9 *
EocenePriabonianMP 20/MP 19/MP 18/MP 17B/MP 17ALate Eocene33.9
Divisaderan35.9 *
BartonianMP 16Middle Eocene37.71
LutetianMP 15/MP 14/MP 13/MP 12/MP 1141.2
Mustersan41.9 *
YpresianMP 10/MP 8 + 9/MP 7Early Eocene47.8
Casamayoran47.9 *
PaleoceneThanetianMP 6MP 1 - 5Late PaleoceneRiochican56
Itaboraian56.9 *
Peligran58.9 *
SelandianMiddle Paleocene59.2
DanianEarly Paleocene61.6
Tiupampan62.4 *
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