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
  • 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. 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. 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 126606 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleSilurian of EnglandNorth American Mammal Subages/ZonesSouth American Land Mammal AgesAmmonite Chrons of North AmericaCarboniferous SubepochsObsolete Names for ICS Units
QuaternaryPleistoceneLate PleistoceneSheridanianLujanian0.0117
Chibanian0.129
Cudahyan/Sappan0.21
Ensenadan0.3 *
Calabrian0.774
Senecan/Rexroadian1.4
SanandresianUquian †1.7 *
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianVorohueanTertiary †2.58
Chapadmalalan2.9 *
Zanclean3.6
Montehermosan3.7 *
Late Hemphillian/late Early Hemphillian/early Early Hemphillian4.7
Huayquerian4.9 *
MioceneMessinian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Chasicoan7.9 *
Late Clarendonian/Early Clarendonian9.4
Mayoan9.9 *
Laventan10.9 *
Serravallian11.63
late Late Barstovian/early Late Barstovian/Early Barstovian12.5
Colloncuran13.7 *
Langhian13.82
Friasian15.4 *
Burdigalian15.98
Santacrucian16.2 *
Late Hemingfordian/Early Hemingfordian16.3
Colhuehuapian17.4 *
late Late Arikareean/early Late Arikareean/late Early Arikareean/early Early ArikareeanHarrisonian18.5
Aquitanian20.44
Deseadan20.9 *
PaleogeneOligoceneChattian23.03
Monroecreekian23.1 *
Geringian24.7 *
Rupelian27.82
Tinguirirican28.9 *
29.5
EocenePriabonianLate Chadronian/Middle Chadronian/Early Chadronian33.9
Divisaderan35.9 *
37
Bartonian37.71
Late Uintan/Early Uintan39.7
Lutetian41.2
Mustersan41.9 *
Twinbuttean/Blacksforkian/Gardnerbuttian46.2
Ypresian47.8
Casamayoran47.9 *
Lostcabinian/Lysitean/Graybullian/Sandcouleean50.5
Cf3/Cf2/Cf154.9
PaleoceneThanetianRiochican56
Ti6/Ti5/Ti4/Ti3/Ti2/Ti156.2
Itaboraian56.9 *
Peligran58.9 *
Selandian59.2
To3/To2/To160.9
Danian61.6
Tiupampan62.4 *
Pu3/Pu2/Pu163.8
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
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
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelianLate Pennsylvanian298.9
Kasimovian303.7
MoscovianMiddle Pennsylvanian307
BashkirianEarly Pennsylvanian315.2
MississippianSerpukhovianLate Mississippian323.2
ViseanMiddle Mississippian330.9
TournaisianEarly Mississippian346.7
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 10485.4
Jiangshanian489.5
Paibian494
MiaolingianGuzhangianSeries 3 †497
Drumian500.5
WuliuanStage 5 †504.5
509