Mesozoic (~ 251 Ma)

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Representation and status

Index
msz
Color CMYK
60 / 0 / 10 / 0
Color RGB
R: 103 G: 197 B: 202
Rank
chronostratigraphic Era
Validity
Unit is in Use
Status
valid formal name

Nomenclature

Deutsch
Mesozoikum
Français
Mésozoïque
Italiano
Mesozoico
English
Mesozoic (~ 251 Ma)
Historical Variants
Mesozoik, Ère secondaire, Erdmittelalter, Mittelalter, Secondario, ère des Reptiles, ère des Dinosaures, Zeitalter der Reptilien, Zeitalter der Dinosaurier, Zeit der Tethys
Nomenclatorial Remarks
montes secundarii (Arduino 1759)

Hierarchy and sequence

Subordinate units
Units at roof

Age

Age at top
  • Maastrichtian
Age at base
  • Induan

  • Cretaceous (~ 145 Ma)

    Name Origin

    Named derived from the characteristic chalk deposits (Latin: creta = craie, Kreide) of the Paris-London Basin.

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Period
    Status
    valid formal name
    Age
    Berriasian
    Show details

    • Late Cretaceous (100.5 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Cenomanian
      Show details

      • Maastrichtian (72.1 +/-0.2 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Maastricht (Netherlands).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        Last stage of the Cretaceous (and hence of the Mesozoic as well).

        Age
        Maastrichtian
        Show details

      • Campanian (83.6 +/-0.2 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Champagne de Saintonge (Charentes, France), near Cognac.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Campanian
        Show details

      • Santonian (86.3 +/-0.5 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the former province of Saintonge (Charentes, France).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Santonian
        Show details

      • Coniacian (89.8 +/-0.3 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Cognac (Charente-Maritime, France), where the historical stratotype lies.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        Initially defined as the basal stage of the «Craie supérieure» (chalk ; cf. Cretaceous).

        Age
        Coniacian
        Show details

      • Turonian (93.9 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after Turonia, the Latine name for Tours (France), Indre-et-Loire.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Turonian
        Show details

      • Bonarelli level (OAE-2)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Italian geologist Guido Bonarelli (1871-1951).

        Rank
        Oceanic Anoxic Event
        Status
        valid
        In short

        Oceanic anoxic event at the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary (around 93 Ma ago) with a major impact on the chemistry of the oceans worldwide. This event correlates with a marine extinction event.

        Age
        Late Cenomanian
        Show details

      • Cenomanian (100.5 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named atfer Cenomanum, the Latine name for Le Mans (France), Sarthe.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        First stage of the Late Cretaceous.

        Age
        Cenomanian
        Show details

    • Early Cretaceous (~ 145 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Berriasian
      Show details

      • Albian (~ 113.0 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Aube region (France).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Nomenclatorial Remarks
        <p>Latin: Alba</p>
        In short

        Last stage of the Early Cretaceous.

        Age
        Albian
        Show details

        • Vraconnien

          Name Origin

          La Vraconnaz = La Vraconne (VD), Saint-Croix

          Rank
          chronostratigraphy
          Status
          obsolete term (disused)
          Nomenclatorial Remarks
          <p>Vraconnin (Mayer-Eymar 1885) = Albien moyen à tardif &gt;&lt; Rhotomagin = Vraconnien !</p>
          In short

          Local chronostratigraphic subdivision corresponding to the late Albian (and earliest Cenomanian).

          Age
          Latest Albian
          Show details

        • Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 1d)

          Rank
          Oceanic Anoxic Event
          Status
          valid
          Age
          Latest Albian
          Show details

        • Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 1c)

          Rank
          chemostratigraphy
          Status
          valid
          In short
          Oceanic anoxic event of the Late Albian.
          Age
          Middle Albian
          Show details

      • Paquier Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 1b)

        Rank
        Oceanic Anoxic Event
        Status
        valid
        In short

        Oceanic anoxic event of the Early Albian.

        Age
        Spätestes Aptien
        Show details

      • Aptian (~ 121.4 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Apt (Vaucluse, France).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        Stage of the Early Cretaceous.

        Age
        Aptien
        Show details

        • Clansayésien

          Name Origin

          Named after the village of Clansayes (Drôme, France).

          Rank
          chronostratigraphy
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short
          Local chronostratigraphic substage corresponding to the Late Aptian.
          Age
          Late Aptian
          Show details

        • Gargasian

          Name Origin

          Named after the village of Gargas (Vaucluse, France).

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short
          Local chronostratigraphic subdivision corresponding to the latest Early Aptian and to the Middle Aptian.
          Age
          Early Aptian
          Show details

        • Bedoulian

          Name Origin

          Named after the village of La Bédoule (Bouches-du-Rhône, France), near Cassis.

          Rank
          chronostratigraphy
          Status
          local name (informal)
          Valid term
          Aptian
          In short
          Local chronostratigraphic subdivision designating the Early Aptian. The Bedoulian, based on pelagic deposits (Marno-calcaires de la Bedoule), is approximately equivalent to the Rhodanian, which is based on littoral deposits.
          Age
          Early Aptian
          Show details

        • Selli level (OAE 1a)

          Name Origin

          Named after the Italian geologist Raimondo Selli (1916-1983).

          Rank
          Oceanic Anoxic Event
          Status
          valid
          In short

          Oceanic anoxic event at the base of the Aptian (around 120 Ma ago) with a major impact on the chemistry of the oceans worldwide.

          Age
          Early Aptian
          Show details

      • Barremian (~ 129.4 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the village of Barrême (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        ... based on the Marno-calcaires de Barrême.

        Age
        Barrémien
        Show details

      • Hauterivian (~ 132.6 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the village of Hauterive (NE), NE Neuchâtel.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Hauterivien
        Show details

        • Faraoni Oceanic Anoxic Event

          Rank
          Oceanic Anoxic Event
          Status
          valid
          Age
          Spätestes Hauterivien
          Show details

      • Valanginian (~ 139.8 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the village of Valangin (NE), at the upper end of the Gorges du Seyon (see also inventory of Swiss geotopes n°245).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Nomenclatorial Remarks
        <p>Valendis = ancien nom allemand de Valangin</p>
        In short

        Second stage of the Early Cretaceous.

        Age
        Valanginien
        Show details

        • Weissert Oceanic Anoxic Event

          Rank
          Oceanic Anoxic Event
          Status
          valid
          Age
          Spätes Valanginien
          Show details

      • Berriasian (~ 145 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the village of Berrias (Ardèche, France).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Nomenclatorial Remarks
        <p>The Berriasella jacobi Zone was previously&nbsp;placed at the end of the Tithonian.</p>
        In short

        First stage of the Cretaceous.

        Age
        Berriasian
        Show details

  • Jurassic (201.3 +/-0.2 Ma)

    Name Origin

    Named after the Jura Mountains (France, Switzerland).

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Period
    Status
    valid formal name
    Age
    Hettangian
    Show details

    • Late Jurassic (163.5 +/-1.0 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Oxfordien
      Show details

      • Tithonian (152.1 +/-0.9 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named derived from the Greek mythology: Tithon was the son of Laomedon of Troy, who fell in love with Eos, Greek goddess of the dawn (thus prefiguring the Cretaceous system).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Nomenclatorial Remarks
        <p>The Berriasella jacobi Zone, previously&nbsp;placed at the end of the Tithonian, is now considered as defining the start&nbsp;of the Berriasian.</p>
        In short

        Last stage of the Jurassic.

        Age
        Tithonian
        Show details

      • Kimmeridgian (157.3 +/-1.0 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Kimmeridge on the Dorset coast (UK). The Kimmeridge Clay Formation is the main oil source rock in the North Sea petroleum province.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Kimméridgien
        Show details

      • Oxfordian (163.5 +/-1.0 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the city of Oxford (UK).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        First stage of the Late Jurassic.

        Age
        Oxfordien
        Show details

    • Middle Jurassic (174.1 +/-1.0 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Aalénien
      Show details

      • Callovian (166.1 +/-1.2 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named derived from the old spelling of Kellaways Bridge (UK), Wiltshire, 2 miles NE Chippenham.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        Last stage of the Middle Jurassic.

        Age
        Callovien
        Show details

      • Bathonian (168.3 +/-1.3 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Bath (Somerset, UK), near Bristol. The city itself is largely built of Bath Stone, a bright white oolithic limestone that is quarried nearby.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        Third stage of the Middle Jurassic.

        Age
        Bathonien
        Show details

      • Bajocian (170.3 +/-1.4 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Bayeux (Calvados, France) in Normandy.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Nomenclatorial Remarks
        <p>Latin: Bajocium</p>
        In short

        Second stage of the Middle Jurassic.

        Age
        Bajocien
        Show details

        • Gaetani Oceanic Anoxic Event

          Name Origin

          Named in recognition of Maurizio Gaetani's work on Jurassic sedimentary successions of the Lombardy Basin.

          Rank
          Oceanic Anoxic Event
          Status
          informal term
          In short

          Black shale interval locally developped at the transition betwenn the Rosso Ammonitico Lombardo and the Radiolarite Group.

          Age
          early Bajocian
          Show details

      • Aalenian (174.1 +/-1.0 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Aalen (Germany), Baden-Württemberg

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        First stage of the Middle Jurassic.

        Age
        Aalénien
        Show details

    • Early Jurassic (201.3 +/-0.2 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Hettangian
      Show details

      • Toarcian (182.7 +/-0.7 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Thouars (Deux-Sèvres, France), S Saumur. The protected stratotype lies in an old quarry.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Nomenclatorial Remarks
        <p>Latin: Toarcium</p>
        In short

        The Pliensbachian/Toarcian boundary is marked by a major faunal turnover and regional stratigraphic gaps, followed by a global Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) recorded as black shales (such as the well-known «Posidonienschiefer» of Southern Germany, equivalent to the French «schistes-carton»).

        Age
        Toarcien
        Show details

        • Late Toarcian

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          valid formal name
          Age
          spätes Toarcien
          Show details

        • Middle Toarcian

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          valid formal name
          In short
          The Middle Toarcian is defined biostratigraphically by the ammonite genera Hildoceras and Haugia.
          Age
          mittleres Toarcien
          Show details

        • Early Toarcian

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          valid formal name
          In short

          The Early Toarcian is characterized almost worldwide by black shales (among which the well-known «Posidonienschiefer» of Southern Germany, and the French «schistes-carton») with an ammonite fauna composed mainly of dactylioceratids, harpoceratids and early hildoceratids.

          Age
          frühes Toarcien
          Show details

          • Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event

            Rank
            Oceanic Anoxic Event
            Status
            informal term
            In short

            Major oceanic anoxic event of the Early Toarcian (around 183 Ma ago), documented by black shale deposits found on all major continents (no oceanic drilling cores have recovered black shales of this age as there is little or no Toarcian ocean crust remaining in the world ocean). This event correlates with a marine extinction event.

            Show details

      • Pliensbachian (190.8 +/-1.0 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the village of Pliensbach (Baden-Württemberg, S Germany), 30 km E Stuttgart.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Pliensbachien
        Show details

        • Domerian

          Name Origin

          Named after Monte Domaro (Italia), Val Trompia / Lombardia.

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          informal term
          In short

          Informal substage corresponding to the late Pliensbachian.

          Age
          spätes Pliensbachien (= Domérien)
          Show details

        • Carixian

          Name Origin

          Named after Charmouth (Dorset, UK).

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          informal term
          Nomenclatorial Remarks
          Latin: Carixium
          In short
          First, informal substage of the Pliensbachian.
          Age
          frühes Pliensbachien (= Carixien)
          Show details

      • Sinemurian (199.3 +/-0.3 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Sémur-en-Auxois (Côte-d'Or, France).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Nomenclatorial Remarks
        <p>Latin: Sinemurium</p>
        Age
        Sinémurien
        Show details

        • Lotharingian

          Name Origin

          Named after the Lorraine region (Lotharingium = carolingian province), NE France.

          Rank
          chronostratigraphy
          Status
          obsolete term (disused)
          In short

          Former chronostratigraphic subdivision corresponding to the Late Sinemurian substage.

          Age
          spätes Sinémurien
          Show details

      • Hettangian (201.3 +/-0.2 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the town of Hettange (Moselle, N France), just south of the border with Luxembourg,

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        First stage of the Jurassic.

        Age
        Hettangian
        Show details

  • Triassic (251.902 +/- 0.024 Ma)

    Name Origin

    Name derived from the classical three-fold subdivision in the germanic facies realm.

    Rank
    chronostratigraphic Period
    Status
    valid formal name
    Nomenclatorial Remarks
    <p>die Trias (DE), le Trias (FR)</p>
    In short

    Tectonically rather quiet period inbetween the Variscan and Alpine orogenic cycles. The first deposits are transgressive on a vast peneplain.

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    • Late Triassic (~ 237 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Carnien
      Show details

      • Rhaetian (~ 208.5 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Rhaetian Alps (Switzerland, Austria and Italy)

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Rhät
        Show details

      • Norian (~ 227 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Noric Alps / Noricum (Latin): ancient Roman province south of the Danube River in present-day Austria.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Norien
        Show details

        • Sevatian

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short

          Local substage corresponding to the Late Norian (Late Triassic).

          Age
          Norien
          Show details

        • Alaunian

          Name Origin

          Named after the Hallaun people in Hollein (Tyrol, Austria).

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short

          Local substage corresponding to the Middle Norian (Late Triassic).

          Age
          Norien
          Show details

        • Lacian

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short

          Local substage corresponding to the Early Norian (Late Triassic).

          Age
          Norien
          Show details

      • Carnian (~ 237 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named atfer the Carnic Alps zwischen Austria and Italy (East Tyrol, Carinthia, Friuli and Veneto).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Carnien
        Show details

        • Tuvalian

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          Age
          Spätes Carnien
          Show details

        • Julian

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          Age
          Mittleres Carnien
          Show details

    • Middle Triassic (247.2 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Anisien
      Show details

      • Ladinian (~ 242 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Ladini people of the Dolomites, N Italy.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Ladinien
        Show details

        • Longobardian

          Name Origin

          Name derived fromthe term Longobardi, designating the territories controlled by the Lombards in Italy.

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short
          Last, informal substage of the Ladinian.
          Age
          Spätes Ladinien
          Show details

        • Fassanian

          Name Origin

          Named after the Val di Fassa (Italia).

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short
          First, informal substage of the Ladinian. Originally based on the Buchenstein Beds, it corresponds to a major transgressive interval.
          Age
          Frühes Ladinien
          Show details

      • Anisian (247.2 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Named after the Enns (= Anisus) River at Grossreifling (Austrian Alps).

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Nomenclatorial Remarks
        <p>Virglorien supérieur</p>
        In short

        First stage of the Middle Triassic.

        Age
        Anisien
        Show details

        • Illyrian

          Name Origin

          Named after the antique region Illyria (western part of the Balkan Peninsula).

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short
          Last substage of the Anisian (Middle Triassic).
          Age
          Spätes Anisien
          Show details

        • Pelsonian

          Name Origin

          Named after Lake Pelso = Lake Balaton (Transdanubian region, Hungary.

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short
          Third substage of the Anisian.
          Age
          Anisien
          Show details

        • Bithynian

          Name Origin

          Named after the Roman province Bithynia (NW Turkey).

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          In short
          Second substage of the Anisian (Middle Triassic).
          Age
          Anisien
          Show details

        • Aegean

          Name Origin

          Named after the Aegean Sea (Greece).

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          Nomenclatorial Remarks
          Ägäissches Meer = mer Égée
          In short
          First substage of the Anisian (Middle Triassic).
          Age
          Frühes Anisien
          Show details

    • Early Triassic (251.902 +/-0.024 Ma)

      Rank
      chronostratigraphic Epoch
      Status
      valid formal name
      Age
      Induan
      Show details

      • Olenekian (251.2 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Olenek = Olenyok River, N Siberian Russia

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        In short

        In Europe the Olenekian is the time when the deposition of a large part of the Buntsandstein occured .

        Age
        Olénékien
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        • Spathian

          Name Origin

          Leonard Frank Spath (1882-1957), British geologist and paleontologist.

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          Show details

        • Smithian

          Name Origin
          James Perrin Smith (1864-1931), US geologist and paleontologist.
          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          Show details

      • Induan (251.902 +/-0.024 Ma)

        Name Origin

        Indus River in the Salt Range of Pakistan.

        Rank
        chronostratigraphic Stage
        Status
        valid formal name
        Age
        Induan
        Show details

        • Dienerian

          Name Origin

          Karl Diener (1862-1928), Austrian geologist, paleontologist and alpinist.

          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          Show details

        • Griesbachian

          Name Origin
          Griesbach
          Rank
          chronostratigraphic Substage
          Status
          local name (informal)
          Show details
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