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
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, M. D. Schmitz and G. M. Ogg. 2020. Geologic Time Scale 2020 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
  • J. Meng and M. C. McKenna. 1998. Faunal turnovers of Paleogene mammals from the Mongolian Plateau. Nature 394:364-367 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 126689 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleAmmonite Chrons of North AmericaCarboniferous of ChinaObsolete Precambrian AgesPaleogene Mammal Ages of AsiaCambrian of BritainDevonian SubagesObsolete Carboniferous Ages of ChinaObsolete Names for ICS Units
PhanerozoicCenozoicNeogenePliocenePiacenzianTertiary †2.58
Zanclean3.6
MioceneMessinian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Serravallian11.63
Langhian13.82
Burdigalian15.98
Aquitanian20.44
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianTabenbulakianHsandagolian23.03
RupelianKekeamuan27.82
EocenePriabonianHouldjinian/Ergilian/Ulangochuian33.9
BartonianSharamurunian/Irdinmanhan/Arshantan37.71
Lutetian41.2
YpresianBumbanian47.8
PaleoceneThanetianGashatan56
Selandian59.2
Danian61.6
MesozoicCretaceousLate 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
PaleozoicPermianLopingianChanghsingian251.902
WuchiapingianLongtanian †254.14
GuadalupianCapitanian259.51
Wordian264.28
Roadian266.9
CisuralianKungurian273.01
Artinskian283.5
Sakmarian290.1
Asselian293.52
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelianMapingian †298.9
Xiaodushanian300 *
Kasimovian303.7
Dalaun305.8 *
305.9
Moscovian307
Bashkirian315.2
Huashibanian318.5 *
Lousuan321.2 *
MississippianSerpukhovianDewunian323.2
Shangsian330.8 *
Visean330.9
Jiusian335 *
TournaisianTangbagouan346.7
DevonianLate DevonianFamennianLate Famennian358.9
Middle Famennian365.3 *
Early Famennian368.5 *
FrasnianLate Frasnian372.2
Middle Frasnian375.4 *
Early Frasnian379.3 *
Middle DevonianGivetianLate Givetian382.7
Middle Givetian383.7 *
Early Givetian385.9 *
EifelianLate Eifelian387.7
Early Eifelian390.3 *
Early DevonianEmsianLate Emsian393.3
Early Emsian398.3 *
PragianPragian407.6
LochkovianLate Lochkovian410.8
Middle Lochkovian412.8 *
Early Lochkovian415.6 *
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
ProterozoicNeoproterozoicEdiacaranVendian †Poundian †538.8
Wonokan †571.7 *
635