-
Quaternary (2.58 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Period
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Gelasian - Holocene
- In short
-
The Quaternary is the last geochronologic period of the Cenozoic, starting with the Gelasian age (at the transition from the Neogene period) and still going on into the Present. It is subdivided in two epochs (Pleistocene and Holocene). The base of the Quaternary is set at the Gauss/Matuyama palaeomagnetic reversal and the period is characterised by successive glacials in a context of increased global ice volume. In Switzerland one can assume that all of the (peri)glacial deposits belong to the Quaternary.
-
Holocene (11.7 ka)
- Name Origin
-
holos = fully, entirely , kaïno = recent
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Holocene is the most recent geochronologic epoch of the Quaternary, referring to the warm episod that began with the end of the last glacial period.
- Age
- Holocene
-
Meghalayan (4.2 ka)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
Last chronostratigraphic stage of the Holocene.
- Age
- Holocene
-
Subatlantic
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Current climatic/palynological stage of the postglacial European Quaternary (approximate age range: from 2800-2450 calBP = 850-500 BC to present).
- Age
- Holocene
-
Subboreal
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Palynological stage of the postglacial European Quaternary (approximate age range: 5500-2800 calBP).
- Age
- Holocene
-
Northgrippian (8.2 ka)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
Middle chronostratigraphic stage of the Holocene.
- Age
- Holocene
-
Atlantic
- Name Origin
-
Warm and moist climatic phase originally based on the study of Danish peat bogs.
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Palynological stage depicting a postglacial climatic optimum in Europe, and characterised by the presence of oak, elm, linden and iva (approximate range: 9000-5500 calBP).
- Age
- Holocene
-
Greenlandian (11.7 ka)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Subperiod
- Status
- local name (informal)
- In short
-
First chronostratigraphic stage of the Holocene.
- Age
- Holocene
-
Boreal
- Name Origin
-
Cold climatic phase originally based on the study of Danish peat bogs.
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Palynological stage of the postglacial European Quaternary (approximate age range: 10200-9000 calBP).
- Age
- Holocene
-
Preboreal
- Name Origin
-
Transitional climatic phase originally based on the study of Danish peat bogs.
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Palynological stage of the postglacial European Quaternary, at the base of the Holocene (approximate age range: 11650-10200 calBP).
- Age
- Holocene
-
Pleistocene (2.58 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
pleistos = le plus , kaïno = récent
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Pleistocene is the first geochronologic epoch of the Quaternary, starting with the Gelasian age (at the transition from the Pliocene epoch) and ending with an unnamed age at the transition to the Holocene epoch. It is subdivided in three subepochs (Early, Middle and Late Pleistocene).
- Age
- Gelasian
-
Late Pleistocene (129 ka)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Late Pleistocene is the last geochronologic subepoch of the Pleistocene, comprising only one (unnamed) age. Its base was set at the start of the Eem Interglacial (Marine Isotope Stage 5e).
Correlatively, the Late Pleistocene corresponds in Switzerland to the last interglacial–glacial cycle (Gondiswil Interglacial and Birrfeld Glacial).
-
Younger Dryas
- Name Origin
-
Named after the cold-climate wildflower Dryas octopetala Linnaeus.
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Late glacial cold floral stage at the end of the Late Pleistocene (12900-11500 BP = 11000-9500 av. J.C.).
- Age
- Spätes Pleistozän
-
Allerød
- Name Origin
-
Named after the town of Allerød (Denmark).
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Warmer climatic oscillation of the late glacial Pleistocene (11800-11000 BP = 11400-10730 av. J.C.), identified on the basis of pollen analysis.
- Age
- Spätes Pleistozän
-
Older Dryas
- Name Origin
-
Named after the cold-climate wildflower Dryas octopetala Linnaeus.
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Late glacial floral stage (12000-11800 BP = 11590-11400 av. J.C.)
- Age
- Spätes Pleistozän
-
Bølling
- Name Origin
-
série de tourbes découvertes au lac Bølling, dans le Jutland central
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Late glacial floral stage (13000-12000 BP = 11720-11590 av. J.C.).
- Age
- Spätes Pleistozän
-
Oldest Dryas
- Name Origin
-
Named after the cold-climate wildflower Dryas octopetala Linnaeus.
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
-
Ab ca. 18'000-15'000 BP, je nach Autor.
- Age
- Spätes Pleistozän
-
Eemian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the river Eem in the area of the city of Amersfoort (Netherlands).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- Nomenclatorial Remarks
- Riss-Würm interglacial (Alps), Ipswichian (United Kingdom), Mikulin interglacial (Russia), Valdivia interglacial (Chile), Sangamonian (North America)
- In short
- Initial palynostratigraphic subdivision of the Late Pleistocene («Tarantian») of NW Europe, roughly corresponding to MIS-5e and to the Riss-Würm Interglacial.
- Age
- Spätes Pleistozän
-
Middle Pleistocene (774 ka)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Middle Pleistocene is the middle geochronologic subepoch of the Pleistocene, comprising only the Chibanian age. Its base was set at the boundary between the Matuyama and Brunhes magnetostratigraphic epochs.
In Switzerland the age of the Hochterrasse deposits roughly coincides with the Middle Pleistocene.
-
Chibanian
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
New stage name for the Middle Pleistocene.
- Age
- Middle Pleistocene
-
Saalian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the river Saale (Deutschland).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
- Terminal substage of the Middle Pleistocene of NW Europe, between Holsteinian and Eemian, characterised by cold climate (culminating in the Alpine region with the Riss glaciation).
- Age
- Middle Pleistocene
-
Holsteinian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Holstein region (N Germany).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- Nomenclatorial Remarks
- Hoxnian (United Kingdom), Likhvinian (Russia)
- In short
- Palynostratigraphic subdivision of the Middle Pleistocene (Ionian) of NW Europe, corresponding to MIS-11 and to the Mindel-Riss Interglacial.
- Age
- Middle Pleistocene
-
Elsterian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the river Weisse Elster (E Germany), a tributary of the river Saale.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- Nomenclatorial Remarks
- Anglian (United Kingdom), Okian (Russia)
- In short
- Substage of the Middle Pleistocene of NW Europe, corresponding to MIS-12 and characterised by a cold climate (culminating in the Alpine region with the Mindel glaciation).
- Age
- Middle Pleistocene
-
Cromerian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the East Anglian town of Cromer (UK).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
- Initial palynostratigraphic subdivision of the Middle Pleistocene («Ionian») of NW Europe, encompassing several glacial/interglacial cycles under a relatively mild climate (Günz-Mindel Interglacial).
- Age
- Middle Pleistocene
-
Early Pleistocene (2.58 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- In short
-
The Early Pleistocene is the first geochronologic subepoch of the Pleistocene, starting with the Gelasian age (at the transition from the Piacenzian age) and ending with the Calabrian age (at the transition to the Chibanian age). It is characterised by a predominantly reversed polarised paleomagnetic field (Matuyama) and the onset of large glacial fluctuations.
- Age
- Gelasian
-
Calabrian (1.80 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Calabria region (Italy).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
- Second substage of the Early Pleistocene.
- Age
- Early Pleistocene
-
Sicilian
- Name Origin
-
Named after Sicilia (Italia).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Regional substage (= late Calabrian, Early Pleistocene) in Italy.
- Age
- Calabrian
-
Emilian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Emilia region (Italia).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Regional substage (= middle Calabrian, Early Pleistocene) in Italy.
- Age
- Calabrian
-
Santernian
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Regional substage (= early Calabrian, Early Pleistocene) in Italy.
- Age
- Calabrian
-
Gelasian (2.58 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the town of Gela (Italia), Sicilia.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Early Pleistocene
-
Neogene (23.03 Ma)
- Origin of the Name
-
neos = new , genos = birth
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Period
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Aquitanian - Piacenzian
- In short
-
The Neogene (formal name for the «late Tertiary») is the middle geochronologic period of the Cenozoic, starting with the Aquitanian age (at the transition from the Paleogene period) and ending with the Piacenzian age (at the transition to the Quaternary period). It is subdivided in two epochs (Miocene and Pliocene).
-
Pliocene (5.333 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
plios = plus , kaïno = récent
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Pliocene is the last geochronologic epoch of the Neogene, starting with the Zanclean age (at the transition from the Miocene epoch) and ending with the Piacenzian age (at the transition to the Pleistocene epoch).
- Age
- Zanclean
-
Piacenzian (3.600 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the village of Piacenzia (Italia).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- late Pliocene
-
Zanclean (5.333 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Derived from Zancla, the pre-Roman name for the town of Messina in Sicily (Italy).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
First stage of the Pliocene.
- Age
- Pliocene
-
Miocene (23.03 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
meios = less, kaïno = recent
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Miocene is the first geochronologic epoch of the Neogene, starting with the Aquitanian age (at the transition from the Oligocene epoch) and ending with the Messinian age (at the transition to the Pliocene epoch).
- Age
- Aquitanian
-
Messinian (7.246 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the town of Messina (Italia), Sicilia.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
Last stage of the Miocene.
- Age
- late Miocene
-
Tortonian (11.63 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the city of Tortona (Italia), Piemonte.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
Stage of the Late Miocene.
- Age
- late Miocene
-
Serravallian (13.82 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the town of Serravalle Scrivia (Italia), Piemonte.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
Stage of the Middle Miocene.
- Age
- middle Miocene
-
Langhian (15.97 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Langhe area north of Ceva (Italy).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Nomenclatorial Remarks
- <p>le Langhe (plural)</p>
- In short
-
Stage of the Middle Miocene.
- Age
- middle Miocene
-
Burdigalian (20.44 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the town of Bordeaux = Burdigala (Gironde, France).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Nomenclatorial Remarks
- <p>Latin: Burdigalia</p>
- In short
-
Second stage of the Miocene.
- Age
- early Miocene
-
Aquitanian (23.03 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Aquitaine region (France).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
First stage of the Miocene Series, and hence base of the Neogene System.
- Age
- early Miocene
-
Palaeogene (66.0 Ma)
- Origin of the Name
-
palaeos = ancient , genos = birth
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Period
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Danian - Chattian
- In short
-
The Paleogene (formal name for the «early Tertiary») is the first geochronologic period of the Cenozoic, starting with the Danian age (at the transition from the Cretaceous period) and ending with the Chattian age (at the transition to the Neogene period). It is subdivided in three epochs (Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene).
-
Oligocene (33.9 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
oligos = peu , kaïno = récent
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Oligocene is the last geochronologic epoch of the Paleogene, starting with the Rupelian age (at the transition from the Eocene epoch) and ending with the Chattian age (at the transition to the Miocene epoch).
- Age
- Rupelian
-
Chattian (27.82 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Chatti tribe (Deutschland).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Oligocene
-
Rupelian (33.9 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Rupel river (Belgium).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
First stage of the Oligocene. Its definition was originally based on the Rupel Group.
- Age
- early Oligocene
-
Eocene (56.0 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
eos = aurore, début , kaïno = récent
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Eocene is the middle geochronologic epoch of the Paleogene, starting with the Ypresian age (at the transition from the Paleocene epoch) and ending with the Priabonian age (at the transition to the Oligocene epoch). It is subdivided in four ages (Ypresian, Lutetian, Bartonian and Priabonian).
- Age
- Ypresian
-
Priabonian (37.71 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the village of Priabona (Italia), Vicenza.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Nomenclatorial Remarks
- <p>Parastratotypes à Ghenderle, Brendola, Mossano et Possagno (Cita 1969) ; calcaires marneux à Echinides de Priabona (Boussac 1909a)</p>
- In short
-
Last stage of the Eocene. Definition originally based on the «assises de la Granella», «groupe des couches à Orbitoides de Priabona» and «marnes de Brendola».
- Age
- late Eocene
-
Bartonian (~41 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the village of Barton-on-Sea (Hampshire, UK).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
Second stage of the Middle Eocene. Its definition was originally based both on the Barton Beds (Hampshire) and the Sables d'Auvers-Beauchamp (Paris Basin).
- Age
- middle Eocene
-
Marinesian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the village of Marines (Val-d'Oise, France)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
- In short
-
Second substage of the Bartonian in the Paris Basin. Original definition based on the «Sables de Marines». It corresponds to the Late Bartonian of the International Time Scale.
- Age
- Bartonian
-
Auversian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the town of Auvers-sur-Oise (Val d'Oise, France) ; le stratotype des sablières du Bois-le-Roi est en cours d'aménagement.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
- Valid term
- Bartonian
- In short
-
First substage of the Bartonian in the Paris Basin. It corresponds to the Early Bartonian of the International Time Scale.
- Age
- early Bartonian
-
Lutetian (47.8 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the town of Paris = Lutetia (France).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
Second stage of the Eocene.
- Age
- middle Eocene
-
Ypresian (56.0 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the village of Ypres = Ieper(Belgium).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
First stage of the Eocene.
- Age
- early Eocene
-
Cuisian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the village of Cuise-la-Motte (Oise, France).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
- In short
- Last, informal substage of the Ypresian.
- Age
- late Ypresian
-
Sparnacian
- Name Origin
-
Named after the town of Épernay = Sparnacum (Marne, France).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
- In short
- Early Ypresian of the Paris Basin.
- Age
- early Eocene
-
Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM)
- Rank
- climato/palynostratigraphy
- Status
- informal term
- In short
- Global thermal maximum marked by a strong negative anomaly in δ13C values at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary.
-
Paleocene (66.0 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
palaeos = ancient , eos = dawn, kaïno = recent (i.e. Palaeo-Eocene, see Pulvertaft 1999)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Paleocene is the first geochronologic epoch of the Paleogene, starting with the Danian age (at the transition from the Late Cretaceous epoch) and ending with the Thanttian age (at the transition to the Eocene epoch). It is subdivided in three ages (Danian, Selandian and Thanetian).
- Age
- Danian
-
Thanetian (59.2 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Isle of Thanet (Kent, UK).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
Last stage of the Paleocene.
- Age
- late Paleocene
-
Selandian (61.6 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Zealand island (Denmark).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- middle Paleocene
-
Danian (66.0 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Latin name for Denmark.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
First stage of the Paleocene (and hence of the Cenozoic as well).
- Age
- early Paleocene
-
Cretaceous (~ 145 Ma)
- Origin of the Name
-
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 - Maastrichtian
- In short
-
The Cretaceous is the last geochronologic period of the Mesozoic, starting with the Berriasian age (at the transition from the Jurassic period) and ending with the Maastrichtian age (at the transition to the Paleogene period). It is officially subdivided in two epochs (Early and Late Cretaceous).
-
Late Cretaceous (100.5 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Late Cretaceous is the last geochronologic subepoch of the Cretaceous, starting with the Cenomanian age (at the transition from the Early Cretaceous subepoch) and ending with the Maastrichtian age (at the transition to the Plaeocene subepoch). It is subdivided in six ages (Cenomanian, Turonian, Coniacian, Santonian, Campanian and Maastrichtian).
- Age
- Cenomanian
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Early Cretaceous (~ 145 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Early Cretaceous is the first geochronologic subepoch of the Cretaceous, starting with the Berriasian age (at the transition from the Late Jurassic subepoch) and ending with the Albian age (at the transition to the Late Cretaceous subepoch). It is subdivided in six ages (Berriasian, Valanginian, Hauterivian, Barremian, Aptian and Albian).
- Age
- Berriasian
-
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
-
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 >< Rhotomagin = Vraconnien !</p>
- In short
-
Local chronostratigraphic subdivision corresponding to the late Albian (and earliest Cenomanian).
- Age
- Latest Albian
-
Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 1d)
-
Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 1c)
- Rank
- chemostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Oceanic anoxic event of the Late Albian.
- Age
- Middle Albian
-
Paquier Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 1b)
- Rank
- Oceanic Anoxic Event
- Status
- valid
- In short
-
Oceanic anoxic event of the Early Albian.
- Age
- Spätestes Aptien
-
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
- Aptian
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
- Barremian
-
Hauterivian (~ 132.6 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the village of Hauterive (NE), NE Neuchâtel.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Hauterivian
-
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
- Valanginian
-
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 placed at the end of the Tithonian.</p>
- In short
-
First stage of the Cretaceous.
- Age
- Berriasian
-
Jurassic (201.4 +/-0.2 Ma)
- Origin of the Name
-
Named after the Jura Mountains (France, Switzerland).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Period
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Hettangian - Tithonian
- In short
-
The Jurassic is the middle geochronologic period of the Mesozoic, starting with the Hettangian age (at the transition from the Triassic period) and ending with the Tithonian age (at the transition to the Cretaceous period). It is subdivided in three epochs (Early, Middle and Late Jurassic).
-
Late Jurassic (163.5 +/-1.0 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Late Jurassic is the last geochronologic subepoch of the Jurassic, starting with the Oxfordian age (at the transition from the Middle Jurassic subepoch) and ending with the Tithonian age (at the transition to the Early Cretaceous subepoch). It is subdivided in three ages (Oxfordian, Kimmeridgian and Tithonian).
- Age
- Oxfordian
-
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 placed at the end of the Tithonian, is now considered as defining the start of the Berriasian.</p>
- In short
-
Last stage of the Jurassic.
- Age
- Tithonian
-
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
- Kimmeridgian
-
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
- Oxfordian
-
Middle Jurassic (174.1 +/-1.0 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Middle Jurassic is the middle geochronologic subepoch of the Jurassic, starting with the Aalenian age (at the transition from the Early Jurassic subepoch) and ending with the Callovian age (at the transition to the Late Jurassic subepoch). It is subdivided in four ages (Aalenian, Bajocian, Bathonian and Callovian).
- Age
- Aalenian
-
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
- Callovian
-
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
- Bathonian
-
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
- Bajocian
-
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
- frühes Bajocien
-
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
- Aalenian
-
Early Jurassic (201.3 +/-0.2 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Early Jurassic is the first geochronologic subepoch of the Jurassic, starting with the Hettangian age (at the transition from the Late Triassic subepoch) and ending with the Toarcian age (at the transition to the Middle Jurassic subepoch). It is subdivided in four ages (Hettangian, Sinemurian, Pliensbachian and Toarcian).
- Age
- Hettangian
-
Toarcian (184.2 +/-0.3 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the town of Thouars (Deux-Sèvres, France), south of Saumur. The protected stratotype lies in an old quarry. Its GSSP is located at Peniche (Portugal).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Nomenclatorial Remarks
- <p>Latin: Toarcium</p>
- In short
-
The Toarcian is the youngest geochronologic age of the Early Jurassic. Its base, at the transition from the Pliensbachian, is placed at the first appearance of the ammonite genus Eodactylites and the base of the Aalenian (first appearance of the ammonite genus Leioceras) defines its end.
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
- Toarcian
-
Late Toarcian
-
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
- middle Toarcian
-
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
- early Toarcian
-
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.
-
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
- Pliensbachian
-
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
- late Pliensbachian (= Domerian)
-
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
- early Pliensbachian (= Carixian)
-
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
- Sinemurian
-
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
-
Triassic (251.902 +/- 0.024 Ma)
- Origin of the Name
-
Name derived from the classical three-fold subdivision in the germanic facies realm.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Period
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Triassic is the first geochronologic period of the Mesozoic, starting with the Induan age (at the transition from the Permian period) and ending with the Rhaetian age (at the transition to the Jurassic period). It is subdivided in three epochs (Early, Middle and Late Triassic).
Tectonically it is a rather quiet period inbetween the Variscan and Alpine orogenic cycles. The first deposits are transgressive on a vast peneplain.
- Nomenclatorial Remarks
-
die Trias (DE), le Trias (FR)
-
Late Triassic (~ 237 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Late Triassic is the last geochronologic subepoch of the Triassic, starting with the Carnian age (at the transition from the Middle Triassic subepoch) and ending with the Rhaetian age (at the transition to the Early Jurassic subepoch). It is subdivided in three ages (Carnian, Norian and Rhaetian).
- Age
- Carnian
-
Rhaetian (~ 208.5 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Rhaetian Alps (Switzerland, Austria and Italy)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Rhaetian
-
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
- Norian
-
Sevatian
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
- In short
-
Local substage corresponding to the Late Norian (Late Triassic).
- Age
- Norian
-
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
- Norian
-
Lacian
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
- In short
-
Local substage corresponding to the Early Norian (Late Triassic).
- Age
- Norian
-
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
- Carnian
-
Middle Triassic (247.2 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Middle Triassic is the middle geochronologic subepoch of the Triassic, starting with the Anisian age (at the transition from the Early Triassic subepoch) and ending with the Ladinian age (at the transition to the Late Triassic subepoch). It is officially subdivided in two ages (Anisian and Ladinian).
- Age
- Anisian
-
Ladinian (~ 242 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Ladini people of the Dolomites, N Italy.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Ladinian
-
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
- Late Ladinian
-
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
- Early Ladinian
-
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
- Anisian
-
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
- Late Anisian
-
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
- Anisian
-
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
- Anisian
-
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
- Early Anisian
-
Early Triassic (251.902 +/-0.024 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- Status
- valid formal name
- In short
-
The Early Triassic is the first geochronologic subepoch of the Triassic, starting with the Induan age (at the transition from the Lopingian subepoch) and ending with the Olenekian age (at the transition to the Middle Triassic subepoch). It is officially subdivided in two ages (Induan and Olenekian).
- Age
- Induan
-
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
- Olenekian
-
Spathian
- Name Origin
-
Leonard Frank Spath (1882-1957), British geologist and paleontologist.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
-
Smithian
- Name Origin
- James Perrin Smith (1864-1931), US geologist and paleontologist.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
-
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
-
Dienerian
- Name Origin
-
Karl Diener (1862-1928), Austrian geologist, paleontologist and alpinist.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
-
Griesbachian
- Name Origin
- Griesbach
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Substage
- Status
- local name (informal)
-
Permian (298.90 +/-0.15 Ma)
- Origin of the Name
-
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
-
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
- Wordian
-
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
- Artinskian
-
Sakmarian (293.52 +/-0.17 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Sakmara River (Russia).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Sakmarian
-
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
- Bashkirian
-
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
-
Early Pennsylvanian (323.2 +/-0.4 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Subepoch
- Status
- valid
-
Mississippian (358.9 +/-0.4 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Epoch
- 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)
-
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
- Middle Devonian
-
Eifelian (393.3 +/-1.2 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Eifel region (Prusse rhénane)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Stage
- Status
- valid
- Age
- Middle Devonian
-
Early Devonian (419.2 +/-3.2 Ma)
-
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).
-
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).
-
Cambrian (538.8 +/-0.2 Ma)
- Origin of the Name
-
Derived from the Latinised form of the Welsh name Cymru (Wales).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Period
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Cambrian
- 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).
- Nomenclatorial Remarks
-
From the Old Welsh combrog = compatriot.
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".
-
Proterozoic (2500 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Eon
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Proterozoic
- In short
-
The Proterozoic is the last geochronologic eon of the Precambrian, starting with the Siderian period (at the transition from the Archean eon) and ending with the Ediacaran period (at the transition to the Phanerozoic eon). It is subdivided in three eras (Paleo-, Meso- and Neoproterozoic).
... banded iron stones (2800-1800 Ma), tillites (2600-2100, 850 and 600 Ma) ...
-
Neoproterozoic (1000 Ma)
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Last era of the Proterozoic.
- Age
- Proterozoic
-
Ediacaran (~ 635 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
Named after the Ediacara Hills (South Australia).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Period
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Last period of the Neoproterozoic (ca. 635-541 Ma), with a peculiar soft-bodied fauna.
- Age
- Neoproterozoic (= Late Proterozoic)
-
Cryogenian (~ 720 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
From krýos and génesis (Greek), meaning "cold" resp. "birth".
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Middle period of the Neoproterozoic, characterised by cold climatic conditions («Snowball Earth» ; Sturtian and Marinoan glaciations). Its base has been defined chronometrically.
- Age
- Neoproterozoic (= Late Proterozoic)
-
Tonian (1000 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
From tóno (Greek), meaning "stretch".
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
- First period of the Neoproterozoic. Its base has been defined chronometrically.
- Age
- Neoproterozoic (= Late Proterozoic)
-
Mesoproterozoic (1600 Ma)
-
Stenian (1200 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
From stenós (Greek), meaning "narrow".
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Last period of the Mesoproterozoic, during which the supercontinent Rodinia assembled. Its base has been defined chronometrically.
- Age
- Mesoproterozoic (= Middle Proterozoic)
-
Ectasian (1400 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
From éktasis (Greek), meaning "extension".
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Second period of the Mesoproterozoic. Its base has been defined chronometrically.
- Age
- Mesoproterozoic (= Middle Proterozoic)
-
Calymmian (1600 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
From kálymma (Greek), meaning "cover".
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
-
First period of the Mesoproterozoic. Its base has been defined chronometrically.
- Age
- Mesoproterozoic (= Middle Proterozoic)
-
-
Paleoproterozoic (2500 Ma)
-
Statherian (1800 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
From statherós (Greek), meaning "stable, firm".
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Last period of the Paleoproterozoic. Its base has been defined chronometrically.
- Age
- Paleoproterozoic (= Early Proterozoic)
-
Orosirian (2050 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
From oroseirá (Greek), meaning "mountain range".
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
-
Third period of the Paleoproterozoic. Its base has been defined chronometrically.
- Age
- Paleoproterozoic (= Early Proterozoic)
-
Rhyacian (2300 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
From rhýax (Greek), meaning "stream of lava".
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
- Second period of the Paleoproterozoic : Bushveld Igneous Complex, Huronian (Makganyene) global glaciation. Its base has been defined chronometrically.
- Age
- Paleoproterozoic (= Early Proterozoic)
-
Siderian (2500 Ma)
- Name Origin
-
From sídēros (Greek), meaning "iron".
- Rank
- chronostratigraphy
- Status
- valid
- In short
- First period of the Paleoproterozoic, characterised by a peak in the deposition of banded iron formations (BIFs). Its base has been defined chronometrically.
- Age
- Paleoproterozoic (= Early Proterozoic)
-
-
Archean (4031 +/-3 Ma)
- Origin of the Name
-
archeo (Latin): old (see also Grand Canyon, Colorado).
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Eon
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Archean
- In short
-
The Archean is the middle geochronologic eon of the Precambrian (between the Hadean and the Proterozoic). It is subdivided in four eras (Eo-, Paleo-, Meso- and Neoarchean).
... composed of granulites, green belts, non-metamorphic sedimentary rocks (argilites, arkoses, sandstones, rarely carbonates and evaporites), as well as first banded iron-stones.
-
Hadean (4567 Ma)
- Origin of the Name
-
Named after Hades, the Greek god of the underworld.
- Rank
- chronostratigraphic Eon
- Status
- valid formal name
- Age
- Hadean
- In short
-
The Hadean is the first geochronologic eon of the Precambrian (before the Archean) and goes back to the origin of the Earth 4.56 billion years ago.
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