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. 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
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, and A. G. Smith. 2004. A Geologic Time Scale 2004 1-589 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
  • J. Palfy, P. L. Smith, and J. K. Mortensen. 2000. A U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar time scale for the Jurassic. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 37(6):923-944 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

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 126162 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleEuropean Faunal ZonesObsolete Names for ICS UnitsCenozoic SubepochsCretaceous-Cenozoic of New Zealand
QuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayanWanganuiHaweran0
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate PleistoceneLate Pleistocene0.0117
ChibanianMiddle Pleistocene0.129
Castlecliffian0.34
CalabrianEarly Pleistocene0.774
Nukumaruan1.63
GelasianMN 171.8
Mangapanian2.4
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianMN 16Tertiary †Late Pliocene2.58
Waipipian3
MN 153.2
ZancleanEarly Pliocene3.6
Opoitian3.7
MN 144.2
MN 134.9
MioceneMessinianLate MioceneTaranakiKapitean5.333
Tongaporutuan7.2
TortonianMN 127.246
MN 117.75
MN 108.7
MN 99.7
SouthlandWaiauan11.04
MN 7 + 811.1
SerravallianMiddle Miocene11.63
MN 612.8 *
Lillburnian13.05
LanghianMN 513.82
Clifdenian15.1
PareoraAltonian15.9
BurdigalianMN 4Early Miocene15.98
MN 316.9
Otaian18.7
MN 220
Aquitanian20.44
LandonWaitakian21.7
MN 122.4
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianLate Oligocene23.03
Duntroonian25.2
Whaingaroan27.3
RupelianEarly Oligocene27.82
EocenePriabonianLate Eocene33.9
ArnoldRunangan34.6
Kaiatan36.7
BartonianMiddle Eocene37.71
Bortonian39.1
Lutetian41.2
DannevirkePorangan42.6
Heretaungan45.7
YpresianEarly Eocene47.8
Mangaorapan48.9
Waipawan52
PaleoceneThanetianLate PaleoceneTeurian56
SelandianMiddle Paleocene59.2
DanianEarly Paleocene61.6
CretaceousLate CretaceousMaastrichtianMataHaumurian66
Campanian72.1
SantonianPiripauan83.6
RaukumaraTeratan86.1
Coniacian86.3
Turonian89.8
Mangaotanean90.5
Arowhanan93.7
Cenomanian93.9
ClarenceNgaterian95.2
Motuan99.5
Early CretaceousAlbian100.5
Urutawan103.3
TaitaiKorangan108.4
Aptian113
117.5
Barremian121.4
Hauterivian125.77
Valanginian132.6
Berriasian139.8
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