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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 126610 collections

Show more time

Show linear time

International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleAmmonite Chrons of Northwest EuropeCenozoic Subepochs of Southern EuropeCambrian of BritainPermian of the Salt RangeCarbo-Permian of the Russian PlatformAmmonite Chrons of North AmericaCarboniferous SubepochsObsolete Names for ICS Units
QuaternaryPleistoceneLate PleistoceneTarantian0.0117
ChibanianIonian0.129
Calabrian0.774
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianTertiary †2.58
Zanclean3.6
MioceneMessinian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Serravallian11.63
Langhian13.82
Burdigalian15.98
Aquitanian20.44
PaleogeneOligoceneChattian23.03
Rupelian27.82
EocenePriabonian33.9
Bartonian37.71
Lutetian41.2
Ypresian47.8
PaleoceneThanetian56
Selandian59.2
Danian61.6
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
BajocianParkinsoni/Garantiana/Subfurcatum/Sauzei/Laeviuscula/DiscitesEpizigzagiceras168.2
HumphresianumRotundum/Oblatum/Kirschneri/Crassicostatus/Widebayense168.4
AalenianConcavum/Murchisonae/OpalinumHowelli/Scissum/Westermanni170.9
Early JurassicToarcianLevesquei/Variabilis/BifronsThouarsenseYakounensis/Hillebrandti/Crassicosta174.7
Planulata179.3 *
Arnioceras arnouldi179.8 *
180.1
Kanense181.3 *
Serpentinum/Falciferum/Tenuicostatum182
Carlottense182.3 *
Kunae183.5 *
PliensbachianSpinatum/Margaritatus/Davoei/Ibex/Jamesoni184.2
Freboldi185.1 *
Whiteavesi/ImlayiTetraspidoceras186.2 *
189.2 *
Plesechioceras harbledownense/Asteroceras varians/CoronicerasCanadensis190.3 *
SinemurianRaricostatum/Oxynotum/Obtusum/Turneri/Semicostatum/Bucklandi192.9
PseudaetomocerasPsiloceras196.4 *
Franziceras/Euphyllites196.5 *
HettangianAngulata/Liasicus/Planorbis199.5
TriassicLate TriassicRhaetian201.4
Norian208.5
Carnian227
Middle TriassicLadinian237
Anisian242
Early TriassicOlenekian247.2
Induan251.2
Kathwai251.5 *
PermianLopingianChanghsingianMelekhovian251.902
252.4 *
Chhidru252.9 *
WuchiapingianLongtanian †254.14
Kalabagh255 *
Wargal256 *
GuadalupianCapitanian259.51
Wordian264.28
Noginskian264.9 *
265.3 *
Amb266.1 *
Roadian266.9
270.7 *
CisuralianKungurian273.01
Pavlovoposadian276.8 *
Artinskian283.5
Rusavkinian287.6 *
Sakmarian290.1
Asselian293.52
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelianLate Pennsylvanian298.9
KasimovianDorogomilovian303.7
Khamovnikian304.8
Krevyakinian305.8 *
MoscovianMyachkovianMiddle Pennsylvanian307
Podolskian308.9 *
Kashirian311.4 *
Vereian313.8
Melekessian314.8
BashkirianEarly Pennsylvanian315.2
Cheremshanian316.9 *
Prikamian318.6 *
Severokeltmian319.9 *
Krasnopolyanian321.2 *
Voznesenian321.9 *
MississippianSerpukhovianZapaltjubianLate Mississippian323.2
Protvian324.4 *
Steshevian326.8 *
Tarusian329 *
ViseanVenevianMiddle Mississippian330.9
Mikhailovian331.9 *
Aleksinian333.7 *
Tulian335.8 *
Bobrikian339.9 *
Radaevkian343.4 *
TournaisianKosvianEarly Mississippian346.7
Kizelian350.7 *
Cherepetian351.9 *
Karakubian354.4 *
Upinian356.3 *
Malevkian357.6 *
Gumerovian358 *
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 10MerionethDolgellian/Trempealeauan485.4
Festiniogian489.2 *
Jiangshanian489.5
Maentwrogian493.1 *
Paibian494
MiaolingianGuzhangianSt DavidsSeries 3 †497
Drumian500.5
WuliuanStage 5 †504.5
Series 2Stage 4Caerfai509
Stage 3514
TerreneuvianStage 2521
Fortunian529
538.8