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. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, M. D. Schmitz and G. M. Ogg. 2020. Geologic Time Scale 2020 view
  • Z.-X. Qiu and Z.-D. Qiu. 1995. Chronological sequence and subdivision of Chinese Neogene mammalian faunas. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 116(1-2):41-70 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
  • 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
  • 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 126710 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleDevonian of FranceCarboniferous of Western EuropeTen Million Year BinsNeogene Mammal Ages of ChinaCenozoic Subepochs of Southern EuropeAmmonite Chrons of North AmericaCarboniferous SubepochsObsolete Names for ICS Units
QuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayanCenozoic 60
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate PleistoceneNihewanianTarantian0.0117
ChibanianIonian0.129
Calabrian0.774
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianYusheanTertiary †2.58
Zanclean3.6
Baodean4.9
MioceneMessinian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Tunggurian11.1
SerravallianCenozoic 511.63
LanghianShanwangian13.82
Burdigalian15.98
Xiejiaan16.9
Aquitanian20.44
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianCenozoic 423.03
Rupelian27.82
EocenePriabonianCenozoic 333.9
Bartonian37.71
LutetianCenozoic 241.2
Ypresian47.8
PaleoceneThanetianCenozoic 156
Selandian59.2
Danian61.6
CretaceousLate CretaceousMaastrichtianCretaceous 866
CampanianCretaceous 772.1
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
BajocianEpizigzagiceras168.2
Rotundum/Oblatum/Kirschneri/Crassicostatus/Widebayense168.4
AalenianJurassic 3Howelli/Scissum/Westermanni170.9
Early JurassicToarcianYakounensis/Hillebrandti/Crassicosta174.7
Planulata179.3 *
Arnioceras arnouldi179.8 *
Kanense181.3 *
Carlottense182.3 *
Kunae183.5 *
PliensbachianJurassic 2184.2
Freboldi185.1 *
Whiteavesi/ImlayiTetraspidoceras186.2 *
189.2 *
Plesechioceras harbledownense/Asteroceras varians/CoronicerasCanadensis190.3 *
SinemurianJurassic 1192.9
PseudaetomocerasPsiloceras196.4 *
Franziceras/Euphyllites196.5 *
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
Kuzel297.7
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelianCarboniferous 5Late Pennsylvanian298.9
StephanianStephanian C300.3 *
Stephanian B300.9 *
Stephanian A301.4 *
Kasimovian303.7
Cantabrian305 *
MoscovianCarboniferous 4Middle Pennsylvanian307
WestphalianWestphalian D307.4 *
Westphalian C309.8
Westphalian B314.6
BashkirianEarly Pennsylvanian315.2
Westphalian A317 *
NamurianYeadonian318.8 *
Marsdenian320.2 *
Kinderscoutian321.5 *
Alportian322 *
Chokierian323.1 *
MississippianSerpukhovianCarboniferous 3Late Mississippian323.2
Arnsbergian324 *
Pendleian327.4 *
ViseanWarnantianBrigantian †Carboniferous 2Middle Mississippian330.9
LivianAsbian †336.3 *
MoliniacianHolkerian †/Arundian/Chadian340.2 *
TournaisianIvorianCarboniferous 1Early Mississippian346.7
Hastarian353.7 *
DevonianLate DevonianFamennianFamennianDevonian 5358.9
FrasnianFrasnianDevonian 4372.2
Middle DevonianGivetianGivetianDevonian 3382.7
EifelianCouvinien387.7
Early DevonianEmsianDevonian 2393.3
PragianDevonian 1407.6
Coblencien408.2 *
LochkovianGedinnine410.8
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 5485.4
Jiangshanian489.5
Paibian494
MiaolingianGuzhangianCambrian 4Series 3 †497
Drumian500.5
WuliuanCambrian 3Stage 5 †504.5
Series 2Stage 4509
Stage 3Cambrian 2514
TerreneuvianStage 2521
FortunianCambrian 1529
538.8