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
  • 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
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, M. D. Schmitz and G. M. Ogg. 2020. Geologic Time Scale 2020 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. I. Raine, A. G. Beu, A. F. Boyes, H. J. Campbell, R. A. Cooper, J. S. Crampton, M. P. Crundwell, C. J. Hollis, and H. E. G. Morgans. 2015. Revised Calibration of the New Zealand Geological Timescale: NZGT2015/1. GNS Science Report 2012(39) 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 127749 collections

Show more time

Show linear time

International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleTen Million Year BinsCambrian of BritainAmmonite Chrons of North AmericaDevonian of GermanyCenozoic Subepochs of Southern EuropePermian of the Salt RangeCarboniferous of Western EuropeObsolete Names for ICS UnitsSouth American Land Mammal AgesPermian-Jurassic of New Zealand
QuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayanCenozoic 60
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate PleistoceneTarantianLujanian0.0117
ChibanianIonian0.129
Ensenadan0.3 *
Calabrian0.774
SanandresianUquian †1.7 *
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianTertiary †Vorohuean2.58
Chapadmalalan2.9 *
Zanclean3.6
Montehermosan3.7 *
Huayquerian4.9 *
MioceneMessinian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Chasicoan7.9 *
Mayoan9.9 *
Laventan10.9 *
SerravallianCenozoic 511.63
Colloncuran13.7 *
Langhian13.82
Friasian15.4 *
Burdigalian15.98
Santacrucian16.2 *
Colhuehuapian17.4 *
Aquitanian20.44
Deseadan20.9 *
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianCenozoic 423.03
Rupelian27.82
Tinguirirican28.9 *
EocenePriabonianCenozoic 333.9
Divisaderan35.9 *
Bartonian37.71
LutetianCenozoic 241.2
Mustersan41.9 *
Ypresian47.8
Casamayoran47.9 *
PaleoceneThanetianCenozoic 1Riochican56
Itaboraian56.9 *
Peligran58.9 *
Selandian59.2
Danian61.6
Tiupampan62.4 *
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 6OtekePuaroan145
KimmeridgianJurassic 5149.2
KawhiaOhauan150
Heterian154.5
Oxfordian154.8
Middle JurassicCallovian161.5
Temaikan164.3
BathonianJurassic 4165.3
BajocianEpizigzagiceras168.2
Rotundum/Oblatum/Kirschneri/Crassicostatus/Widebayense168.4
AalenianJurassic 3Howelli/Scissum/Westermanni170.9
Early JurassicToarcianYakounensis/Hillebrandti/Crassicosta174.7
HerangiUruroan176
Planulata179.3 *
Arnioceras arnouldi179.8 *
Kanense181.3 *
Carlottense182.3 *
Kunae183.5 *
PliensbachianJurassic 2184.2
Freboldi185.1 *
Whiteavesi/ImlayiTetraspidoceras186.2 *
Aratauran188.9
189.2 *
Plesechioceras harbledownense/Asteroceras varians/CoronicerasCanadensis190.3 *
SinemurianJurassic 1192.9
PseudaetomocerasPsiloceras196.4 *
Franziceras/Euphyllites196.5 *
Hettangian199.5
TriassicLate TriassicRhaetianTriassic 4BalfourOtapirian201.4
NorianWarepan208.5
Otamitan217
Oretian221
CarnianTriassic 3227
GoreKaihikuan227.5
Middle TriassicLadinianTriassic 2237
Etalian238
Anisian242
Malakovian246
Early TriassicOlenekianTriassic 1247.2
Nelsonian249
Induan251.2
KathwaiDUrvilleMakarewan251.5 *
PermianLopingianChanghsingianPermian 4251.902
252.4 *
Chhidru252.9 *
Waiitian253.2
WuchiapingianLongtanian †254.14
Puruhauan254.2
Kalabagh255 *
Wargal256 *
GuadalupianCapitanianAparimaFlettian259.51
Wordian264.28
265.3 *
Barettian266
Amb266.1 *
RoadianPermian 3266.9
270.7 *
CisuralianKungurianPermian 2273.01
Mangapirian276
Artinskian283.5
Telfordian285
288.5
Sakmarian290.1
AsselianPermian 1293.52
Kuzel297.7
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelianCarboniferous 5298.9
StephanianStephanian C300.3 *
Stephanian B300.9 *
Stephanian A301.4 *
Kasimovian303.7
Cantabrian305 *
MoscovianCarboniferous 4307
WestphalianWestphalian D307.4 *
Westphalian C309.8
Westphalian B314.6
Bashkirian315.2
Westphalian A317 *
NamurianYeadonian318.8 *
Marsdenian320.2 *
Kinderscoutian321.5 *
Alportian322 *
Chokierian323.1 *
MississippianSerpukhovianCarboniferous 3323.2
Arnsbergian324 *
Pendleian327.4 *
ViseanCarboniferous 2WarnantianBrigantian †330.9
LivianAsbian †336.3 *
MoliniacianHolkerian †/Arundian/Chadian340.2 *
TournaisianCarboniferous 1Ivorian346.7
Hastarian353.7 *
DevonianLate DevonianFamennianDevonian 5Wocklum/Dasberg/Hemberg/Nehden358.9
FrasnianDevonian 4Adorf372.2
Middle DevonianGivetianDevonian 3Givetian382.7
EifelianEifelian387.7
Early DevonianEmsianDevonian 2Emsian393.3
PragianDevonian 1Siegen407.6
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 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