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, 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
  • M. Freudenthal. 2006. Mammal Paleogene zones. personal communication view
  • A. D. Barnosky, M. Holmes, R. Kirchholtes, E. Lindsey, K.C. Maguire, A.W. Poust, M.A. Stegner, J. Sunseri, B. Swartz, J. Swift, N.A. Villavicencio and G. Wogan. 2014. Prelude to the Anthropocene: Two new North American Land Mammal Ages (NALMAs). The Anthropocene Review I(3):225-242 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 126689 collections

Show more time

Show linear time

International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleCarboniferous of North AmericaCambrian of BritainDevonian of CzechoslovakiaSilurian of EnglandCambrian of North AmericaMammal Paleogene ZonesNorth American Land Mammal AgesObsolete Names for ICS Units
QuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayanSaintaugustinean0
Santarosean0.0004
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate Pleistocene0.0117
Rancholabrean0.014
Chibanian0.129
Irvingtonian0.21
Calabrian0.774
Blancan1.4
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianTertiary †2.58
Zanclean3.6
Hemphillian4.7
MioceneMessinian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Clarendonian9.4
Serravallian11.63
Barstovian12.5
Langhian13.82
Burdigalian15.98
Hemingfordian16.3
Arikareean18.5
Aquitanian20.44
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianMP 30/MP 29/MP 28/MP 27/MP 26MP 2523.03
RupelianMP 24/MP 23/MP 22/MP 2127.82
Whitneyan29.5
Orellan31.8
EocenePriabonianMP 20/MP 19/MP 18/MP 17B/MP 17AChadronian33.9
Duchesnean37
BartonianMP 1637.71
Uintan39.7
LutetianMP 15/MP 14/MP 13/MP 12/MP 1141.2
Bridgerian46.2
YpresianMP 10/MP 8 + 9/MP 747.8
Wasatchian50.5
Clarkforkian54.9
PaleoceneThanetianMP 6MP 1 - 556
Tiffanian56.2
Selandian59.2
Torrejonian60.9
Danian61.6
Puercan63.8
CretaceousLate CretaceousMaastrichtian66
Campanian72.1
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
WuchiapingianLongtanian †254.14
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 DevonianGivetianSrbsko382.7
EifelianChotec387.7
Early DevonianEmsianDaleje/Zlichovian393.3
PragianPragian407.6
LochkovianLochkovian410.8
SilurianPridoliRed Downtonian/Temeside Shales/Downton CastleWhitcliffe/Leintwardine419.2
Bringewood/Elton421.3
LudlowLudfordianCoalbrookdaleWenlock (England)/Tickwood423
Gorstian425.6
Buildwas426.4 *
WenlockHomerian427.4
WychWoolhope428.4 *
Sheinwoodian430.5
LlandoveryTelychian433.4
436.3 *
Aeronian438.5
Cowleigh Park439.3 *
Rhuddanian440.8
OrdovicianLate OrdovicianHirnantian443.8
Katian445.2
Sandbian453
Middle OrdovicianDarriwilian458.4
Dapingian467.3
Early OrdovicianFloian470
Tremadocian477.7
CambrianFurongianStage 10MerionethDolgellian/TrempealeauanFranconian †/Dresbachian/Millardan485.4
Sunwaptan487.5
Festiniogian489.2 *
Jiangshanian489.5
Steptoean493 *
Maentwrogian493.1 *
Paibian494
MiaolingianGuzhangianSt DavidsMarjumianAlbertian †Series 3 †497
Drumian500.5
WuliuanTopazanStage 5 †504.5
Delamaran506.5
Series 2Stage 4CaerfaiWaucoban †509
Dyeran511 *
Stage 3514
Montezuman514.8 *
Begadean519.9 *
TerreneuvianStage 2521
Fortunian529
538.8