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. Harzhauser and W. E. Piller. 2004. Integrated stratigraphy of the Sarmatian (Upper Middle Miocene) in the western Central Paratethys. Stratigraphy 1(1):65-86 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
  • J. Meng and M. C. McKenna. 1998. Faunal turnovers of Paleogene mammals from the Mongolian Plateau. Nature 394:364-367 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
  • 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
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, and A. G. Smith. 2004. A Geologic Time Scale 2004 1-589 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 126133 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleTen Million Year BinsCentral Paratethys StagesSouth American Land Mammal AgesPaleogene Mammal Ages of AsiaCretaceous North American Land-Mammal AgesCambrian of BritainMammal Paleogene ZonesCenozoic SubepochsObsolete Names for ICS Units
QuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayanCenozoic 60
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate PleistoceneLujanianLate Pleistocene0.0117
ChibanianMiddle Pleistocene0.129
Ensenadan0.3 *
CalabrianEarly Pleistocene0.774
SanandresianUquian †1.7 *
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianVorohueanLate PlioceneTertiary †2.58
Chapadmalalan2.9 *
ZancleanEarly Pliocene3.6
Montehermosan3.7 *
Huayquerian4.9 *
MioceneMessinianLate Miocene5.333
TortonianPannonian7.246
Chasicoan7.9 *
Mayoan9.9 *
Laventan10.9 *
SerravallianCenozoic 5SarmatianMiddle Miocene11.63
Badenian12.8 *
Colloncuran13.7 *
Langhian13.82
Friasian15.4 *
BurdigalianEarly Miocene15.98
Santacrucian16.2 *
Colhuehuapian17.4 *
Aquitanian20.44
Deseadan20.9 *
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianCenozoic 4TabenbulakianHsandagolianMP 30/MP 29/MP 28/MP 27/MP 26MP 25Late Oligocene23.03
RupelianKekeamuanMP 24/MP 23/MP 22/MP 21Early Oligocene27.82
Tinguirirican28.9 *
EocenePriabonianCenozoic 3Houldjinian/Ergilian/UlangochuianMP 20/MP 19/MP 18/MP 17B/MP 17ALate Eocene33.9
Divisaderan35.9 *
BartonianSharamurunian/Irdinmanhan/ArshantanMP 16Middle Eocene37.71
LutetianCenozoic 2MP 15/MP 14/MP 13/MP 12/MP 1141.2
Mustersan41.9 *
YpresianBumbanianMP 10/MP 8 + 9/MP 7Early Eocene47.8
Casamayoran47.9 *
PaleoceneThanetianCenozoic 1RiochicanGashatanMP 6MP 1 - 5Late Paleocene56
Itaboraian56.9 *
Peligran58.9 *
SelandianMiddle Paleocene59.2
DanianEarly Paleocene61.6
Tiupampan62.4 *
CretaceousLate CretaceousMaastrichtianCretaceous 8Lancian/Edmontonian66
CampanianCretaceous 7Judithian/Aquilan72.1
SantonianCretaceous 683.6
Coniacian86.3
Turonian89.8
CenomanianCretaceous 593.9
Early CretaceousAlbianCretaceous 4100.5
AptianCretaceous 3113
BarremianCretaceous 2121.4
Hauterivian125.77
ValanginianCretaceous 1132.6
Berriasian139.8
JurassicLate JurassicTithonianJurassic 6145
KimmeridgianJurassic 5149.2
Oxfordian154.8
Middle JurassicCallovian161.5
BathonianJurassic 4165.3
Bajocian168.2
AalenianJurassic 3170.9
Early JurassicToarcian174.7
PliensbachianJurassic 2184.2
SinemurianJurassic 1192.9
Hettangian199.5
TriassicLate TriassicRhaetianTriassic 4201.4
Norian208.5
CarnianTriassic 3227
Middle TriassicLadinianTriassic 2237
Anisian242
Early TriassicOlenekianTriassic 1247.2
Induan251.2
PermianLopingianChanghsingianPermian 4251.902
WuchiapingianLongtanian †254.14
GuadalupianCapitanian259.51
Wordian264.28
RoadianPermian 3266.9
CisuralianKungurianPermian 2273.01
Artinskian283.5
Sakmarian290.1
AsselianPermian 1293.52
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelianCarboniferous 5298.9
Kasimovian303.7
MoscovianCarboniferous 4307
Bashkirian315.2
MississippianSerpukhovianCarboniferous 3323.2
ViseanCarboniferous 2330.9
TournaisianCarboniferous 1346.7
DevonianLate DevonianFamennianDevonian 5358.9
FrasnianDevonian 4372.2
Middle DevonianGivetianDevonian 3382.7
Eifelian387.7
Early DevonianEmsianDevonian 2393.3
PragianDevonian 1407.6
Lochkovian410.8
SilurianPridoliSilurian 2419.2
LudlowLudfordian423
Gorstian425.6
WenlockHomerian427.4
Sheinwoodian430.5
LlandoveryTelychianSilurian 1433.4
Aeronian438.5
Rhuddanian440.8
OrdovicianLate OrdovicianHirnantianOrdovician 5443.8
Katian445.2
SandbianOrdovician 4453
Middle OrdovicianDarriwilianOrdovician 3458.4
DapingianOrdovician 2467.3
Early OrdovicianFloian470
TremadocianOrdovician 1477.7
CambrianFurongianStage 10Cambrian 5MerionethDolgellian/Trempealeauan485.4
Festiniogian489.2 *
Jiangshanian489.5
Maentwrogian493.1 *
Paibian494
MiaolingianGuzhangianCambrian 4St DavidsSeries 3 †497
Drumian500.5
WuliuanCambrian 3Stage 5 †504.5
Series 2Stage 4Caerfai509
Stage 3Cambrian 2514
TerreneuvianStage 2521
FortunianCambrian 1529
538.8