Palaeozoic

Representation and status

Color CMYK
40 / 10 / 40 / 0
Color RGB
R: 153 G: 192 B: 141
Rank
chronostratigraphic Era
Validity
Unit is in Use
Status
valid formal name

Nomenclature

Deutsch
Paläozoikum
Français
Paléozoïque
Italiano
Paleozoico
English
Palaeozoic
Historical Variants

Erdaltertum, Altertum, Primario, ère Primaire

  • Permian (298.90 +/-0.15 Ma)

    Name Origin

    Named after the former Perm Governorate (Russia).

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Period
    Status
    valid formal name
    In short

    The Permian is the last geochronologic period of the Paleozoic, starting with the Asselian age (at the transition from the Carboniferous period) and ending with the Changhsingian age (at the transition to the Triassic period). It is subdivided in three epochs (Cisuralian, Guadalupian and Lopingian).

    • Lopingian (259.51 +/-0.21 Ma)

      Name Origin

      Named after the town of Leping = Loping (Jiangxi Province, China).

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Wuchiapingian
      • Changhsingian (254.14 +/-0.07 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Changhsingian
      • Wuchiapingian (259.51 +/-0.21 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Wuchiapingian
    • Guadalupian (273.01 +/-0.14 Ma)

      Name Origin

      Named after the Guadalupe Mountains (Texas, USA).

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Roadian
      • Capitanian (264.28 +/-0.16 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Capitan Reef in the Guadalupe Mountains (Texas, USA).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Capitanian
      • Wordian (266.9 +/-0.4 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Word Formation (Word Ranch, Glass Mountains) of the North American Permian Basin.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Wordien
      • Roadian (273.01 +/-0.14 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Road Canyon Member of the Word Formation (Texas, USA).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Roadian
    • Cisuralian (298.9 +/-0.15 Ma)

      Name Origin

      Named after the Cisural Mountains (western, European part of the Ural Mountains).

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Asselian
      • Kungurian (283.5 +/-0.6 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Kungur (Russia), near Perm.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Kungurian
      • Artinskian (290.1 +/-0.26 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Artinsk = Arti (Russia), S Perm.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        Stage of the Early Permian.

        Age
        Artinskien
      • Sakmarian (293.52 +/-0.17 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Sakmara River (Russia).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Sakmarien
      • Asselian (298.9 +/-0.15 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Assel River, southern Ural Mountains (Kazakhstan / Bashkortostan).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        First stage of the Cisuralian and hence base of the Permian.

        Age
        Asselian
  • Carboniferous (358.9 +/-0.4 Ma)

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Period
    Status
    valid formal name
    In short

    The Carboniferous is the penultimate geochronologic period of the Paleozoic, starting with the Tournaisian age (at the transition from the Devonian period) and ending with the Gzhelian age (at the transition to the Permian period). It is subdivided in two epochs (Mississippian and Pennsylvanian).

    • Pennsylvanian (323.2 +/-0.4 Ma)

      Name Origin

      Named after the Pennsylvania state (USA).

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      In short

      Late Carboniferous epoch.

      Age
      Bashkirien
      • Late Pennsylvanian (307.0 +/-0.1 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Subepoch
        Status
        valid
        • Gzhelian (303.7 +/-0.1 Ma)

          Name Origin

          Named after the village of Gzhel = Gjel (Russia), 50 km SE Moscow.

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Stage
          Status
          valid formal name
        • Kasimovian (307.0 +/-0.1 Ma)

          Name Origin

          Named after the town of Kasimov (Russia).

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Stage
          Status
          valid formal name
      • Middle Pennsylvanian (315.2 +/-0.2 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Subepoch
        Status
        valid
        • Moscovian (315.2 +/-0.2 Ma)

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Stage
          Status
          valid formal name
      • Early Pennsylvanian (323.2 +/-0.4 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Subepoch
        Status
        valid
        • Bashkirian (323.2 +/-0.4 Ma)

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Stage
          Status
          valid formal name
    • Mississippian (358.9 +/-0.4 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      • Late Mississippian (330.9 +/-0.2 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Subepoch
        Status
        valid
        • Serpukhovian (330.9 +/-0.2 Ma)

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Stage
          Status
          valid formal name
      • Middle Mississippian (346.7 +/-0.4 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Subepoch
        Status
        valid
        • Visean (346.7 +/-0.4 Ma)

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Stage
          Status
          valid formal name
      • Early Mississippian (358.9 +/-0.4 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Subepoch
        Status
        valid
        • Tournaisian (358.9 +/-0.4 Ma)

          Name Origin

          Named after the town of Tournay

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Stage
          Status
          valid formal name
  • Devonian (419.2 +/-3.2 Ma)

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Period
    Status
    valid formal name
    In short

    The Devonian is a geochronologic period of the Paleozoic, starting with the Lochkovian age (at the transition from the Silurian period) and ending with the Famennian age (at the transition to the Pernian period). It is subdivided in three epochs (Early, Middle and Late Devonian).

    • Late Devonien (382.7 +/-1.6 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      informal term
      Age
      Frasnian
      • Famennian (372.2 +/-1.6 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Spätes Devon
      • Frasnian (382.7 +/-1.6 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Frasne (France), near Tournay.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Spätes Devon
    • Middle Devonian (393.3 +/-1.2 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid
      • Givetian (387.7 +/-0.8 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Givet (Ardennes, France).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short
        Second stage of the Middle Devonian, originally defined based on the Givet Limestone.
        Age
        Mittleres Devon
      • Eifelian (393.3 +/-1.2 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Eifel region (Prusse rhénane)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Mittleres Devon
    • Early Devonian (419.2 +/-3.2 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      informal term
      Age
      Lochkovian
      • Emsian (407.6 +/-2.6 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Frühes Devon
      • Pragian (410.8 +/-2.8 Ma)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Frühes Devon
      • Lochkovian (419.2 +/-3.2 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Lochkhow (Bohemia).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Frühes Devon
  • Silurian (443.8 +/-1.5 Ma)

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Period
    Status
    valid formal name
    In short

    The Silurian is a geochronologic period of the Paleozoic, starting with the Rhuddanian age (at the transition from the Ordovician period) and ending with the Pridoli Epoch (at the transition to the Devonian period). It is subdivided in four epochs (Llandovery, Wenlock, Ludlow and Pridoli).

    • Pridoli (423.0 +/-2.3 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphy
      Status
      informal term
      Age
      Silurian
    • Ludlow (427.4 +/-0.5 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphy
      Status
      informal term
      Age
      Silurian
      • Ludfordian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Silurian
      • Gorstian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Silurian
    • Wenlock (433.4 +/-0.8 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphy
      Status
      informal term
      Age
      Silurian
      • Homerian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Silurian
      • Sheinwoodian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Silurian
    • Llandovery (443.8 +/-1.5 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphy
      Status
      informal term
      Age
      Silurian
      • Telychian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Silurian
      • Aeronian

        Name Origin

        Cemcoed-Aeron Farm near Llandovery, Powys (Wales, UK)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        Second stage of the Llandovery Series (Early Silurian).

        Age
        Silurian
      • Rhuddanian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Silurian
  • Ordovician (485.4 +/-1.9 Ma)

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Period
    Status
    valid formal name
    In short

    The Ordovician is the second geochronologic period of the Paleozoic, starting with the Tremadocian age (at the transition from the Cambrian period) and ending with the Hirnantian age (at the transition to the Silurian period). It is subdivided in three epochs (Early, Middle and Late Ordovician).

    • Late Ordovician

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      informal term
      • Hirnantian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Spätes Ordovizium
      • Katian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Spätes Ordovizium
      • Sandbian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Spätes Ordovizium
    • Middle Ordovician

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      informal term
      • Darriwilian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Mittleres Ordovizium
      • Dapingian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Mittleres Ordovizium
    • Early Ordovician

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      informal term
      • Floian

        Name Origin

        Flo Parish, village in Västergötland, southern Sweden

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Frühes Ordovizium
      • Tremadocian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Frühes Ordovizium
  • Cambrian (538.8 +/-0.2 Ma)

    Name Origin

    Derived from the Latinised form of the Welsh name Cymru (Wales).

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Period
    Status
    valid formal name
    Nomenclatorial Remarks
    <p>From the Old Welsh combrog = compatriot.</p> <p>According to Geoffrey of Monmouth in the first part of his pseudohistory Historia Regum Britanniae, the Trojan Brutus had three sons among whom (having subdued Gogmagog) he divided his lands after landing in Britain. His elder son, Locrinus, received the land between the rivers Humber and Severn, which he called Loegria (a Latinization of the Welsh name Lloegr, "England"). His second son, Albanactus, got the lands beyond the Humber, which took from him the name of Albany (Yr Alban in Welsh: Scotland). The younger son, Camber, was bequeathed everything beyond the Severn, which was called after him "Cambria".</p>
    In short

    The Cambrian is the first geochronologic period of the Paleozoic, starting with the Fortunian age (at the transition from the Proterozoic eon) and ending with an unnamed age of the Furongian epoch (at the transition to the Ordovician period). It is subdivided in four epochs (Terreneuvian, "Series 2", Miaolingian and Furongian).

    Age
    Cambrian
    • Furongian

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid
      Age
      Spätes Kambrium
      • [Stage 10]

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        unknown status
        In short
        Last stage of the Cambrian (late Furongian).
        Age
        Spätes Kambrium
      • Jiangshanian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Spätes Kambrium
      • Paibian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Spätes Kambrium
    • Miaolingian

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      unknown status
      Age
      Cambrian
      • Guzhangian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Cambrian
      • Drumian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Cambrian
      • Wuliuan

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        unknown status
        Age
        Cambrian
    • [Series 2]

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      unknown status
      Age
      Cambrian
      • [Stage 4]

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        unknown status
        Age
        Cambrian
      • [Stage 3]

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        unknown status
        Age
        Cambrian
    • Terreneuvian

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid
      Age
      Frühes Kambrium
      • [Stage 2]

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        unknown status
        Age
        Frühes Kambrium
      • Fortunian

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid
        Age
        Frühes Kambrium
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