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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 126691 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleCretaceous SubepochsEuropean Faunal UnitsNorth American Mammal Subages/ZonesCambrian of ChinaAmmonite Chrons of North AmericaObsolete Names for ICS Units
QuaternaryPleistoceneLate PleistoceneSheridanian0.0117
Chibanian0.129
Cudahyan/Sappan0.21
Calabrian0.774
Senecan/Rexroadian1.4
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianVillanyianTertiary †2.58
Ruscinian3.1 *
Zanclean3.6
Late Hemphillian/late Early Hemphillian/early Early Hemphillian4.7
MioceneMessinianTurolian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Vallesian8.7
Late Clarendonian/Early Clarendonian9.4
SerravallianAstaracian11.63
late Late Barstovian/early Late Barstovian/Early Barstovian12.5
Langhian13.82
BurdigalianOrleanian15.98
Late Hemingfordian/Early Hemingfordian16.3
late Late Arikareean/early Late Arikareean/late Early Arikareean/early Early ArikareeanHarrisonian18.5
Agenian20
Aquitanian20.44
PaleogeneOligoceneChattian23.03
Monroecreekian23.1 *
Geringian24.7 *
Rupelian27.82
29.5
EocenePriabonianLate Chadronian/Middle Chadronian/Early Chadronian33.9
37
Bartonian37.71
Late Uintan/Early Uintan39.7
Lutetian41.2
Twinbuttean/Blacksforkian/Gardnerbuttian46.2
Ypresian47.8
Lostcabinian/Lysitean/Graybullian/Sandcouleean50.5
Cf3/Cf2/Cf154.9
PaleoceneThanetian56
Ti6/Ti5/Ti4/Ti3/Ti2/Ti156.2
Selandian59.2
To3/To2/To160.9
Danian61.6
Pu3/Pu2/Pu163.8
CretaceousLate CretaceousMaastrichtianSenonian66
Campanian72.1
Santonian83.6
Coniacian86.3
Turonian89.8
Cenomanian93.9
Early CretaceousAlbianGallic100.5
Aptian113
Barremian121.4
HauterivianNeocomian125.77
Valanginian132.6
Berriasian139.8
JurassicLate JurassicTithonian145
Kimmeridgian149.2
Oxfordian154.8
Middle JurassicCallovian161.5
Bathonian165.3
BajocianEpizigzagiceras168.2
Rotundum/Oblatum/Kirschneri/Crassicostatus/Widebayense168.4
AalenianHowelli/Scissum/Westermanni170.9
Early JurassicToarcianYakounensis/Hillebrandti/Crassicosta174.7
Planulata179.3 *
Arnioceras arnouldi179.8 *
Kanense181.3 *
Carlottense182.3 *
Kunae183.5 *
Pliensbachian184.2
Freboldi185.1 *
Whiteavesi/ImlayiTetraspidoceras186.2 *
189.2 *
Plesechioceras harbledownense/Asteroceras varians/CoronicerasCanadensis190.3 *
Sinemurian192.9
PseudaetomocerasPsiloceras196.4 *
Franziceras/Euphyllites196.5 *
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
Asselian293.52
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelian298.9
Kasimovian303.7
Moscovian307
Bashkirian315.2
MississippianSerpukhovian323.2
Visean330.9
Tournaisian346.7
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 OrdovicianHirnantian443.8
Katian445.2
Sandbian453
Middle OrdovicianDarriwilian458.4
Dapingian467.3
Early OrdovicianFloian470
Tremadocian477.7
CambrianFurongianStage 10NiucheheanTaoyuanian †485.4
JiangshanianJiangshanian489.5
PaibianPaibian494
Waergangian †/Youshuanian494.9 *
MiaolingianGuzhangianGuzhangianWangcunian †Series 3 †497
DrumianDrumian500.5
WuliuanWuliuan/TaijangianStage 5 †504.5
Series 2Stage 4Duyunian509
Stage 3Nangaoian514
TerreneuvianStage 2Meishucunian521
Fortunian529
Jinnigian530.7
538.8