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
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, and A. G. Smith. 2004. A Geologic Time Scale 2004 1-589 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
  • J. Meng and M. C. McKenna. 1998. Faunal turnovers of Paleogene mammals from the Mongolian Plateau. Nature 394:364-367 view
  • B. D. Webby. 1998. Steps toward a global standard for Ordovician stratigraphy. Newsletters in Stratigraphy 36:1-33 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 127017 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleCambrian of KazakhstanSilurian of North AmericaObsolete Names for ICS UnitsAmmonite Chrons of North AmericaPermian of the PamirsCambrian of BritainPermian of Western EuropePaleogene Mammal Ages of AsiaOrdovician of China
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianTertiary †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
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
PermianLopingianChanghsingianDorashamian251.902
WuchiapingianLongtanian †DzhulfianZechstein254.14
GuadalupianCapitanianMidianRotliegendes259.51
Wordian264.28
Murgabian266.2 *
Roadian266.9
CisuralianKungurianKubergandian273.01
Bolorian279.8
ArtinskianAutunian283.5
Yakhtashian286
SakmarianSakmarian290.1
AsselianAsselian293.52
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
SilurianPridoliCayugan419.2
Niagaran422.5 *
LudlowLudfordian423
Gorstian425.6
WenlockHomerianLockportian427.4
Sheinwoodian430.5
LlandoveryTelychianOntarian433.4
Aeronian438.5
Alexandrian438.7 *
MedinanClinton440.1 *
440.7 *
Rhuddanian440.8
OrdovicianLate OrdovicianHirnantianHirnantianXiaoxita †/ShikouWufeng †443.8
KatianChientangkiangian445.2
Neichianshanian/Hanjiang449.5
Sandbian453
Middle OrdovicianDarriwilianDarriwilianGuniu †/Hulo458.4
Hunjiang †Dawan †/Daobaowan/Ningkuo466.3 *
DapingianDapingian467.3
Early OrdovicianFloianYiyangian470
TremadocianUngurianXinchangian477.7
Lianghekou †477.9 *
CambrianFurongianStage 10BatyrbaianMerionethDolgellian/Trempealeauan485.4
Festiniogian489.2 *
Jiangshanian489.5
Aksaian490.7 *
Sakian492.2 *
Maentwrogian493.1 *
Paibian494
MiaolingianGuzhangianAyusokkanianSeries 3 †St Davids497
499.5
DrumianZhanaarykian500.5
Tuesaian503
WuliuanStage 5 †504.5
505.3
Series 2Stage 4Caerfai509
Toyonian510 *
Botomian512.5 *
Stage 3514
Atdabanian515.6 *
TerreneuvianStage 2Tommotian521
525.5
Fortunian529
538.8