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
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, M. D. Schmitz and G. M. Ogg. 2020. Geologic Time Scale 2020 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
  • M. Freudenthal. 2006. Mammal Paleogene zones. personal communication view
  • F. M. Gradstein, F. P. Agterberg, J. G. Ogg, J. Hardenbol, P. Van Veen, J. Thierry, and Z. Huang. 1995. A Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous time scale. SEPM Special Publication 54 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 126778 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleCambrian of AustraliaCenozoic Subepochs of Southern EuropeMammal Paleogene ZonesMesozoic SubagesOrdovician of Ibero-BohemiaObsolete Names for ICS UnitsNeogene Mammal Ages of China
PhanerozoicCenozoicQuaternaryHoloceneMeghalayan0
Northgrippian0.0042
Greenlandian0.0082
PleistoceneLate PleistoceneTarantianNihewanian0.0117
ChibanianIonian0.129
Calabrian0.774
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianTertiary †Yushean2.58
Zanclean3.6
Baodean4.9
MioceneMessinian5.333
Tortonian7.246
Tunggurian11.1
Serravallian11.63
LanghianShanwangian13.82
Burdigalian15.98
Xiejiaan16.9
Aquitanian20.44
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianMP 30/MP 29/MP 28/MP 27/MP 26MP 2523.03
RupelianMP 24/MP 23/MP 22/MP 2127.82
EocenePriabonianMP 20/MP 19/MP 18/MP 17B/MP 17A33.9
BartonianMP 1637.71
LutetianMP 15/MP 14/MP 13/MP 12/MP 1141.2
YpresianMP 10/MP 8 + 9/MP 747.8
PaleoceneThanetianMP 6MP 1 - 556
Selandian59.2
Danian61.6
MesozoicCretaceousLate CretaceousMaastrichtianLate Maastrichtian/Early Maastrichtian66
CampanianLate Campanian/Middle Campanian/Early Campanian72.1
SantonianLate Santonian/Middle Santonian/Early Santonian83.6
ConiacianLate Coniacian/Middle Coniacian/Early Coniacian86.3
TuronianLate Turonian/Middle Turonian/Early Turonian89.8
CenomanianLate Cenomanian/Middle Cenomanian/Early Cenomanian93.9
Early CretaceousAlbianLate Albian100.5
Middle Albian106.2 *
Early Albian109.9 *
AptianLate Aptian113
Early Aptian119.5 *
BarremianLate Barremian/Early Barremian121.4
HauterivianLate Hauterivian/Early Hauterivian125.77
ValanginianLate Valanginian/Early Valanginian132.6
BerriasianLate Berriasian139.8
Middle Berriasian140.6 *
Early Berriasian142.7 *
JurassicLate JurassicTithonianLate TithonianMiddle Tithonian145
Early Tithonian146.3 *
KimmeridgianLate Kimmeridgian149.2
Early Kimmeridgian152.2 *
OxfordianLate OxfordianMiddle Oxfordian/Early Oxfordian154.8
157.9 *
Middle JurassicCallovianLate Callovian/Middle Callovian/Early Callovian161.5
BathonianLate Bathonian/Middle Bathonian/Early Bathonian165.3
BajocianLate Bajocian168.2
Early Bajocian168.6 *
AalenianLate Aalenian/Middle Aalenian/Early Aalenian170.9
Early JurassicToarcianLate Toarcian174.7
Middle Toarcian180.4 *
Early Toarcian182.9 *
PliensbachianLate Pliensbachian/Early Pliensbachian184.2
SinemurianLate Sinemurian/Early Sinemurian192.9
HettangianLate Hettangian/Middle Hettangian/Early Hettangian199.5
TriassicLate TriassicRhaetian201.4
NorianSevatian208.5
Alaunian213.2 *
Lacian216.7 *
CarnianTuvalian227
Julian233.4 *
Middle TriassicLadinianLongobardian237
Fassanian239.7 *
AnisianIllyrian242
Pelsonian243.8 *
Bithynian244.7 *
Aegean245.5 *
Early TriassicOlenekianSpathian247.2
Smithian248.9 *
InduanDienerian251.2
Griesbachian251.4 *
PaleozoicPermianLopingianChanghsingian251.902
WuchiapingianLongtanian †254.14
GuadalupianCapitanian259.51
Wordian264.28
Roadian266.9
CisuralianKungurian273.01
Artinskian283.5
Sakmarian290.1
Asselian293.52
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelian298.9
Kasimovian303.7
Moscovian307
Bashkirian315.2
MississippianSerpukhovian323.2
Visean330.9
Tournaisian346.7
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 OrdovicianHirnantianKosovian443.8
KatianKralodvorianBohdalec †445.2
Berounian449.7 *
Sandbian453
Zahorany †/ViniceLetna †456.2 *
Liben †458 *
Middle OrdovicianDarriwilian458.4
Dobrotivian458.5 *
Oretanian459.7 *
Sarka †461.7 *
DapingianKlabava †467.3
Arenigian468
Early OrdovicianFloian470
TremadocianTremadocian477.7
CambrianFurongianStage 10Datsonian485.4
Payntonian486.8 *
JiangshanianIverian489.5
PaibianIdamean494
MiaolingianGuzhangianMindyallanSeries 3 †497
Boomerangian499
DrumianUndillan500.5
Floran503
WuliuanTempletonianStage 5 †504.5
Ordian507.8 *
Series 2Stage 4509
510.8 *
Stage 3514
TerreneuvianStage 2521
Fortunian529
ProterozoicNeoproterozoicEdiacaran538.8
Cryogenian635
Tonian720
MesoproterozoicStenian1000
Ectasian1200
Calymmian1400
PaleoproterozoicStatherian1600
Orosirian1800
Rhyacian2050
Siderian2300
ArcheanNeoarchean2500
Mesoarchean2800
Paleoarchean3200
Eoarchean3600
Hadean4000
4600