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. 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
  • 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. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, M. D. Schmitz and G. M. Ogg. 2020. Geologic Time Scale 2020 view
  • J. A. Lillegraven and M. C. McKenna. 1986. Fossil mammals from the "Mesaverde" Formation (Late Cretaceous, Judithian) of the Bighorn and Wind River basins, Wyoming, with definitions of Late Cretaceous North American Land-Mammal "Ages". American Museum Novitates 2840:1-68 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 126138 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleSouth American Land Mammal AgesObsolete Names for ICS UnitsCambrian of AustraliaSilurian of EnglandPermian of North AmericaCretaceous North American Land-Mammal AgesCenozoic Subepochs of Southern Europe
PhanerozoicCenozoicQuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayan0
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate PleistoceneLujanianTarantian0.0117
ChibanianIonian0.129
Ensenadan0.3 *
Calabrian0.774
SanandresianUquian †1.7 *
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianVorohueanTertiary †2.58
Chapadmalalan2.9 *
Zanclean3.6
Montehermosan3.7 *
Huayquerian4.9 *
MioceneMessinian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Chasicoan7.9 *
Mayoan9.9 *
Laventan10.9 *
Serravallian11.63
Colloncuran13.7 *
Langhian13.82
Friasian15.4 *
Burdigalian15.98
Santacrucian16.2 *
Colhuehuapian17.4 *
Aquitanian20.44
Deseadan20.9 *
PaleogeneOligoceneChattian23.03
Rupelian27.82
Tinguirirican28.9 *
EocenePriabonian33.9
Divisaderan35.9 *
Bartonian37.71
Lutetian41.2
Mustersan41.9 *
Ypresian47.8
Casamayoran47.9 *
PaleoceneThanetianRiochican56
Itaboraian56.9 *
Peligran58.9 *
Selandian59.2
Danian61.6
Tiupampan62.4 *
MesozoicCretaceousLate CretaceousMaastrichtianLancian/Edmontonian66
CampanianJudithian/Aquilan72.1
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
PaleozoicPermianLopingianChanghsingian251.902
WuchiapingianLongtanian †254.14
GuadalupianCapitanianCapitanian259.51
WordianWordian264.28
RoadianRoadian266.9
CisuralianKungurianLeonardianCathedralian273.01
Hessian281.9 *
Artinskian283.5
WolfcampianLenoxian286.1 *
Sakmarian290.1
AsselianNealian293.52
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
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 10Datsonian485.4
Payntonian486.8 *
JiangshanianIverian489.5
PaibianIdamean494
MiaolingianGuzhangianSeries 3 †Mindyallan497
Boomerangian499
DrumianUndillan500.5
Floran503
WuliuanStage 5 †Templetonian504.5
Ordian507.8 *
Series 2Stage 4509
510.8 *
Stage 3514
TerreneuvianStage 2521
Fortunian529
ProterozoicNeoproterozoicEdiacaran538.8
Cryogenian635
Tonian720
MesoproterozoicStenian1000
Ectasian1200
Calymmian1400
PaleoproterozoicStatherian1600
Orosirian1800
Rhyacian2050
Siderian2300
ArcheanNeoarchean2500
Mesoarchean2800
Paleoarchean3200
Eoarchean3600
Hadean4000
4600