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
  • 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
  • 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
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, and A. G. Smith. 2004. A Geologic Time Scale 2004 1-589 view
  • F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg, M. D. Schmitz and G. M. Ogg. 2020. Geologic Time Scale 2020 view
  • B. D. Webby. 1998. Steps toward a global standard for Ordovician stratigraphy. Newsletters in Stratigraphy 36:1-33 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. 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 127682 collections

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International Chronostratigraphic TimescaleNorth American Mammal Subages/ZonesCenozoic SubepochsCarboniferous of North AmericaOrdovician of the BalticCenozoic Subepochs of Southern EuropePermian of the Salt RangeCarboniferous of Western EuropeObsolete Names for ICS UnitsSouth American Land Mammal AgesPermian-Jurassic of New Zealand
QuaternaryPleistoceneLate PleistoceneSheridanianLate PleistoceneTarantianLujanian0.0117
ChibanianMiddle PleistoceneIonian0.129
Cudahyan/Sappan0.21
Ensenadan0.3 *
CalabrianEarly Pleistocene0.774
Senecan/Rexroadian1.4
SanandresianUquian †1.7 *
Gelasian1.8
NeogenePliocenePiacenzianLate PlioceneTertiary †Vorohuean2.58
Chapadmalalan2.9 *
ZancleanEarly Pliocene3.6
Montehermosan3.7 *
Late Hemphillian/late Early Hemphillian/early Early Hemphillian4.7
Huayquerian4.9 *
MioceneMessinianLate Miocene5.333
Tortonian7.246
Chasicoan7.9 *
Late Clarendonian/Early Clarendonian9.4
Mayoan9.9 *
Laventan10.9 *
SerravallianMiddle Miocene11.63
late Late Barstovian/early Late Barstovian/Early Barstovian12.5
Colloncuran13.7 *
Langhian13.82
Friasian15.4 *
BurdigalianEarly Miocene15.98
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 *
PaleogeneOligoceneChattianLate Oligocene23.03
Monroecreekian23.1 *
Geringian24.7 *
RupelianEarly Oligocene27.82
Tinguirirican28.9 *
29.5
EocenePriabonianLate Chadronian/Middle Chadronian/Early ChadronianLate Eocene33.9
Divisaderan35.9 *
37
BartonianMiddle Eocene37.71
Late Uintan/Early Uintan39.7
Lutetian41.2
Mustersan41.9 *
Twinbuttean/Blacksforkian/Gardnerbuttian46.2
YpresianEarly Eocene47.8
Casamayoran47.9 *
Lostcabinian/Lysitean/Graybullian/Sandcouleean50.5
Cf3/Cf2/Cf154.9
PaleoceneThanetianLate PaleoceneRiochican56
Ti6/Ti5/Ti4/Ti3/Ti2/Ti156.2
Itaboraian56.9 *
Peligran58.9 *
SelandianMiddle Paleocene59.2
To3/To2/To160.9
DanianEarly Paleocene61.6
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 JurassicTithonianOtekePuaroan145
Kimmeridgian149.2
KawhiaOhauan150
Heterian154.5
Oxfordian154.8
Middle JurassicCallovian161.5
Temaikan164.3
Bathonian165.3
Bajocian168.2
Aalenian170.9
Early JurassicToarcian174.7
HerangiUruroan176
Pliensbachian184.2
Aratauran188.9
Sinemurian192.9
Hettangian199.5
TriassicLate TriassicRhaetianBalfourOtapirian201.4
NorianWarepan208.5
Otamitan217
Oretian221
Carnian227
GoreKaihikuan227.5
Middle TriassicLadinian237
Etalian238
Anisian242
Malakovian246
Early TriassicOlenekian247.2
Nelsonian249
Induan251.2
KathwaiDUrvilleMakarewan251.5 *
PermianLopingianChanghsingian251.902
252.4 *
Chhidru252.9 *
Waiitian253.2
WuchiapingianLongtanian †254.14
Puruhauan254.2
Kalabagh255 *
Wargal256 *
GuadalupianCapitanianAparimaFlettian259.51
Wordian264.28
265.3 *
Barettian266
Amb266.1 *
Roadian266.9
270.7 *
CisuralianKungurian273.01
Mangapirian276
Artinskian283.5
Telfordian285
288.5
Sakmarian290.1
AsselianBursumian †293.52
Kuzel297.7
CarboniferousPennsylvanianGzhelianVirgilian298.9
StephanianStephanian C300.3 *
Stephanian B300.9 *
Stephanian A301.4 *
KasimovianMissourian303.7
Cantabrian305 *
Desmoinesian305.9 *
Moscovian307
WestphalianWestphalian D307.4 *
Westphalian C309.8
Atokan312.7 *
Westphalian B314.6
Bashkirian315.2
Westphalian A317 *
Morrowan318.4 *
NamurianYeadonian318.8 *
Marsdenian320.2 *
Kinderscoutian321.5 *
Alportian322 *
Chokierian323.1 *
MississippianSerpukhovianChesterian323.2
Arnsbergian324 *
Pendleian327.4 *
ViseanWarnantianBrigantian †330.9
Meramecian335.8 *
LivianAsbian †336.3 *
MoliniacianHolkerian †/Arundian/Chadian340.2 *
Osagean343.1 *
TournaisianIvorian346.7
Kinderhookian351.9 *
Hastarian353.7 *
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 OrdovicianHirnantianHarjuPorkuni443.8
KatianPirgu445.2
Vormsi449.6 *
NabalaJohvi †450 *
ViruRakvere450.6 *
Oandu452 *
SandbianKeilaIdavere †453
Haljala453.9
Kukruse456.4 *
UhakuAluoja †457.5 *
Middle OrdovicianDarriwilian458.4
Lasnamagi458.9 *
Aseri460.4 *
OelandKunda462.9 *
Valaste †/Hunderum464.3 *
VolkhovLangevoja †/Vaana/Saka467.1 *
Dapingian467.3
Billingen469.3 *
Early OrdovicianFloian470
Latorp †470.1 *
Hunneberg473.7 *
Tremadocian477.7
Varangu481.3 *
Pakerort482.2 *
CambrianFurongianStage 10485.4
486.3 *
486.5
Jiangshanian489.5
Paibian494
MiaolingianGuzhangianSeries 3 †497
Drumian500.5
WuliuanStage 5 †504.5
509