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Geologic Time Scale
Geologic Time Scale
Geologic Time Scale
Contents
Principles
Terminology
Divisions of geologic time
Naming of geologic time
History of the geologic time scale
Early history
Establishment of primary principles
Formulation of a modern geologic time scale
The advent of geochronometry
Modern international geologic time scale
Major proposed revisions to the ICC
Proposed Anthropocene Series/Epoch
Proposals for revisions to pre-Cryogenian timeline
Shields et al. 2021
Van Kranendonk et al. 2012 (GTS2012)
Table of geologic time
Non-Earth based geologic time scales
Lunar (selenological) time scale
Martian geologic time scale
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links
Principles
The geologic time scale is a way of representing deep time based on events that have occurred throughout Earth's history, a time
span of about 4.54 ± 0.05 Ga (4.54 billion years).[5] It chronologically organizes strata, and subsequently time, by observing
fundamental changes in stratigraphy that correspond to major geological or paleontological events. For example, the Cretaceous–
Paleogene extinction event, marks the lower boundary of the Paleogene System/Period and thus the boundary between the
Cretaceous and Paleogene Systems/Periods. For divisions prior to the Cryogenian, arbitrary numeric boundary definitions
(Global Standard Stratigraphic Ages, GSSAs) are used to divide geologic time. Proposals have been made to better reconcile
these divisions with the rock record.[6][3]
Historically, regional geologic time scales were used[3] due to the litho- and biostratigraphic differences around the world in time
equivalent rocks. The ICS has long worked to reconcile conflicting terminology by standardizing globally significant and
identifiable stratigraphic horizons that can be used to define the lower boundaries of chronostratigraphic units. Defining
chronostratigraphic units in such a manner allows for the use of global, standardised nomenclature. The ICC represents this
ongoing effort.
The relative relationships of rocks for determining their chronostratigraphic positions use the overriding principles of:
Superposition – Newer rock beds will lie on top of older rock beds unless the succession has been overturned.
Horizontality – All rock layers were originally deposited horizontally.[note 1]
Lateral continuity – Originally deposited layers of rock extend laterally in all directions until either thinning out or
being cut off by a different rock layer.
Biologic succession (where applicable) – This states that each stratum in a succession contains a distinctive
set of fossils. This allows for correlation of stratum even when the horizon between them is not continuous.
Cross-cutting relationships – A rock feature that cuts across another feature must be younger than the rock it
cuts.
Inclusion – Small fragments of one type of rock but embedded in a second type of rock must have formed first,
and were included when the second rock was forming.
Relationships of unconformities – Geologic features representing periods of erosion or non-deposition,
indicating non-continuous sediment deposition.
Terminology
The GTS is divided into chronostratigraphic units and their corresponding geochronologic units. These are represented on the
ICC published by the ICS; however, regional terms are still in use in some areas.
Chronostratigraphy is the element of stratigraphy that deals with the relation between rock bodies and the relative measurement
of geological time.[7] It is the process where distinct strata between defined stratigraphic horizons are assigned to represent a
relative interval of geologic time.
A chronostratigraphic unit is a body of rock, layered or unlayered, that is defined between specified stratigraphic horizons which
represent specified intervals of geologic time. They include all rocks representative of a specific interval of geologic time, and
only this time span.[7]
Eonothem, erathem, system, series, subseries, stage, and substage are the hierarchical chronostratigraphic
units.[7]
Geochronology is the scientific branch of geology that aims to determine the age of rocks, fossils, and sediments either
through absolute (e.g., radiometric dating) or relative means (e.g., stratigraphic position, Paleomagnetism, stable isotope
ratios).[8]
A geochronologic unit is a subdivision of geologic time. It is a numeric representation of an intangible property (time).[8] Eon,
era, period, epoch, subepoch, age, and subage are the hierarchical geochronologic units.[7] Geochronometry is the field of
geochronology that numerically quantifies geologic time.[8]
A Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) is an internationally agreed upon reference point on a stratigraphic
section which defines the lower boundaries of stages on the geologic time scale.[9] (Recently this has been used to define the
base of a system)[10]
A Global Standard Stratigraphic Age (GSSA)[11] is a numeric only, chronologic reference point used to define the base of
geochronologic units prior to the Cryogenian. These points are arbitrarily defined.[7] They are used where GSSPs have not yet
been established. Research is ongoing to define GSSPs for the base of all units that are currently defined by GSSAs.
The numeric (geochronometric) representation of a geochronologic unit can, and is more frequently subject to, change when
geochronology refines the geochronometry, while the equivalent chronostratigraphic unit remains the same, and their revision is
less common. For example, in early 2022 the boundary between the Ediacaran and Cambrian Periods (geochronologic units)
was revised from 541 Ma to 538.8 Ma but the rock definition of the boundary (GSSP) at the base of the Cambrian, and thus the
boundary between the Ediacaran and Cambrian Systems (chronostratigraphic units) has not changed, merely the
geochronometry has been refined.
The numeric values on the ICC are represented by the unit Ma (megaannum) meaning "million years", i.e., 201.3 ± 0.2 Ma, the
lower boundary of the Jurassic Period, is defined as 201,300,000 years old with an uncertainty of 200,000 years. Other SI prefix
units commonly used by geologists are Ga (gigaannum, billion years), and ka (kiloannum, thousand years), with the latter often
represented in calibrated units (before present).
An eon is the largest (formal) geochronologic time unit and is the equivalent of a chronostratigraphic eonothem.[12] As of
April 2022 there are three formally defined eons/eonothems: the Archean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic.[2] The Hadean is an
informal eon/eonothem, but is commonly used.[12]
An era is the second largest geochronologic time unit and is the equivalent of a chronostratigraphic erathem.[7][12] As of
April 2022 there are currently ten defined eras/erathems.[2]
A period is a major rank below an era and above an epoch. It is the geochronologic equivalent of a chronostratigraphic
system.[7][12]As of April 2022 there are currently 22 defined periods/systems.[2] As an exception two subperiods/subsystems are
used for the Carboniferous Period/System.[7]
An epoch is the second smallest geochronologic unit, between a period and an age. It is the equivalent of a chronostratigraphic
series.[7][12] As of April 2022 there are currently 37 defined and one informal epochs/series. There are also 11
subepochs/subseries which are all within the Neogene and Quaternary.[2] The use of subseries/subepochs as formal ranks/units
in international chronostratigraphy was ratified in 2022.[13]
An age is the smallest hierarchical geochronologic unit and is the equivalent of a chronostratigraphic stage.[7][12] As of
April 2022 there are currently 96 formal and five informal ages/stages.[2]
A chron is a non-hierarchical formal geochronology unit of unspecified rank and is the equivalent of a chronostratigraphic
chronozone.[7] These correlate with magnetostratigraphic, lithostratigraphic, or biostratigraphic units as they are based on
previously defined stratigraphic units or geologic features.
The Early and Late subdivisions are used as the geochronologic equivalents of the chronostratigraphic Lower and Upper, e.g.,
Early Triassic Period (geochronologic unit) is used in place of Lower Triassic Series (chronostratigraphic unit).
In essence, it is true to say that rocks representing a given chronostratigraphic unit are that chronostratigraphic unit, and the time
they were laid down in is the geochronologic unit, i.e., the rocks that represent the Silurian Series are the Silurian Series and they
were deposited during the Silurian Period.
Informally, the time before the Cambrian is often referred to as the pre-Cambrian or Precambrian (Supereon).[6][note 3]
Permian 298.9 to 251.9 million years ago Named after the historical region of Perm, Russian Empire.[19]
Carboniferous 358.9 to 298.9 million years ago Means 'coal-bearing', from the Latin carbō (coal) and ferō (to bear, carry).[20]
Silurian 443.8 to 419.2 million years ago Named after the Celtic tribe, the Silures.[22]
Ordovician 485.4 to 443.8 million years ago Named after the Celtic tribe, Ordovices.[23][24]
Cambrian 538.8 to 485.4 million years ago Named for Cambria, a latinised form of the Welsh name for Wales, Cymru.[25]
Named for the Ediacara Hills. Ediacara is possibly a corruption of the Kuyani words
Ediacaran 635 to 538.8 million years ago
'Yata Takarra' meaning hard or stony ground.[26][27]
From the Greek words κρύος (krýos) meaning 'cold', and, γένεσις (génesis) meaning
Cryogenian 720 to 635 million years ago
'birth'.[3]
Tonian 1,000 to 720 million years ago From the Greek word τόνος (tónos) meaning 'stretch'.[3]
Stenian 1,200 to 1,000 million years ago From the Greek word στενός (stenós) meaning 'narrow'.[3]
Ectasian 1,400 to 1,200 million years ago From the Greek word ἔκτᾰσῐς (éktasis) meaning 'extension'.[3]
Calymmian 1,600 to 1,400 million years ago From the Greek word κάλυμμᾰ (kálumma) meaning 'cover'.[3]
Statherian 1,800 to 1,600 million years ago From the Greek word σταθερός (statherós) meaning 'stable'.[3]
Orosirian 2,050 to 1,800 million years ago From the Greek word ὀροσειρά (oroseirá) meaning 'mountain range'.[3]
Rhyacian 2,300 to 2,050 million years ago From the Greek word ῥύαξ (rhýax) meaning 'stream of lava'.[3]
Siderian 2,500 to 2,300 million years ago From the Greek word σίδηρος (sídiros) meaning 'iron'.[3]
Early history
While a modern geological time scale was not formulated until 1911[28] by Arthur Holmes, the broader concept that rocks and
time are related can be traced back to (at least) the philosophers of Ancient Greece. Xenophanes of Colophon (c. 570–487 BCE)
observed rock beds with fossils of shells located above the sea-level, viewed them as once living organisms, and used this to
imply an unstable relationship in which the sea had at times transgressed over the land and at other times had regressed.[29] This
view was shared by a few of Xenophanes' contemporaries and those that followed, including Aristotle (384–322 BCE) who
(with additional observations) reasoned that the positions of land and sea had changed over long periods of time. The concept of
deep time was also recognised by Chinese naturalist Shen Kuo[30] (1031–1095) and Islamic scientist-philosophers, notably the
Brothers of Purity, who wrote on the processes of stratification over the passage of time in their treatises.[29] Their work likely
inspired that of the 11th-century Persian polymath Avicenna (Ibn Sînâ, 980–1037) who wrote in The Book of Healing (1027) on
the concept of stratification and superposition, pre-dating Nicolas Steno by more than six centuries.[29] Avicenna also recognised
fossils as "petrifications of the bodies of plants and animals",[31] with the 13th-century Dominican bishop Albertus Magnus (c.
1200–1280) extending this into a theory of a petrifying fluid.[32] These works appeared to have little influence on scholars in
Medieval Europe who looked to the Bible to explain the origins of fossils and sea-level changes, often attributing these to the
'Deluge', including Ristoro d'Arezzo in 1282.[29] It was not until the Italian Renaissance when Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)
would reinvigorate the relationships between stratification, relative sea-level change, and time, denouncing attribution of fossils
to the 'Deluge':[33][29]
Of the stupidity and ignorance of those who imagine that these creatures were carried to such places distant from the
sea by the Deluge...Why do we find so many fragments and whole shells between the different layers of stone
unless they had been upon the shore and had been covered over by earth newly thrown up by the sea which then
became petrified? And if the above-mentioned Deluge had carried them to these places from the sea, you would
find the shells at the edge of one layer of rock only, not at the edge of many where may be counted the winters of
the years during which the sea multiplied the layers of sand and mud brought down by the neighboring rivers and
spread them over its shores. And if you wish to say that there must have been many deluges in order to produce
these layers and the shells among them it would then become necessary for you to affirm that such a deluge took
place every year.
These views of da Vinci remained unpublished, and thus lacked influence at the time; however, questions of fossils and their
significance were pursued and, while views against Genesis were not readily accepted and dissent from religious doctrine was in
some places unwise, scholars such as Girolamo Fracastoro shared da Vinci's views, and found the attribution of fossils to the
'Deluge' absurd.[29]
Niels Stensen, more commonly known as Nicolas Steno (1638–1686), is credited with establishing four of the guiding principles
of stratigraphy.[29] In De solido intra solidum naturaliter contento dissertationis prodromus Steno states:[34][35]
When any given stratum was being formed, all the matter resting on it was fluid and, therefore, when
the lowest stratum was being formed, none of the upper strata existed.
...strata which are either perpendicular to the horizon or inclined to it were at one time parallel to the
horizon.
When any given stratum was being formed, it was either encompassed at its edges by another solid
substance or it covered the whole globe of the earth. Hence, it follows that wherever bared edges of
strata are seen, either a continuation of the same strata must be looked for or another solid
substance must be found that kept the material of the strata from being dispersed.
If a body or discontinuity cuts across a stratum, it must have formed after that stratum.
Respectively, these are the principles of superposition, original horizontality, lateral continuity, and cross-cutting relationships.
From this Steno reasoned that strata were laid down in succession and inferred relative time (in Steno's belief, time from
Creation). While Steno's principles were simple and attracted much attention, applying them proved challenging.[29] These basic
principles, albeit with improved and more nuanced interpretations, still form the foundational principles of determining
correlation of strata relative geologic time.
Sequences of strata often become eroded, distorted, tilted, or even inverted after deposition
Strata laid down at the same time in different areas could have entirely different appearances
The strata of any given area represented only part of Earth's long history
The apparent, earliest formal division of the geologic record with respect to time was introduced by Thomas Burnet who applied
a two-fold terminology to mountains by identifying "montes primarii" for rock formed at the time of the 'Deluge', and younger
"monticulos secundarios" formed later from the debris of the "primarii".[36][29] This attribution to the 'Deluge', while questioned
earlier by the likes of da Vinci, was the foundation of Abraham Gottlob Werner's (1749–1817) Neptunism theory in which all
rocks precipitated out of a single flood.[37] A competing theory, Plutonism, was developed by Anton Moro (1687–1784) and
also used primary and secondary divisions for rock units.[38][29] In this early version of the Plutonism theory, the interior of Earth
was seen as hot, and this drove the creation of primary igneous and metamorphic rocks and secondary rocks formed contorted
and fossiliferous sediments. These primary and secondary divisions were expanded on by Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti (1712–
1783) and Giovanni Arduino (1713–1795) to include tertiary and quaternary divisions.[29] These divisions were used to describe
both the time during which the rocks were laid down, and the collection of rocks themselves (i.e., it was correct to say Tertiary
rocks, and Tertiary Period). Only the Quaternary division is retained in the modern geologic time scale, while the Tertiary
division was in use until the early 21st century. The Neputism and Plutonism theories would compete into the early 19th century
with a key driver for resolution of this debate being the work of James Hutton (1726–1797), in particular his Theory of the
Earth, first presented before the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1785.[39][40][41] Hutton's theory would later become known as
uniformitarianism, popularised by John Playfair[42] (1748–1819) and later Charles Lyell (1797–1875) in his Principles of
Geology.[43][44][45] Their theories strongly contested the 6,000 year age of the Earth as suggested determined by James Ussher
via Biblical chronology that was accepted at the time by western religion. Instead, using geological evidence, they contested
Earth to be much older, cementing the concept of deep time.
During the early 19th century William Smith, Georges Cuvier, Jean d'Omalius d'Halloy, and Alexandre Brongniart pioneered
the systematic division of rocks by stratigraphy and fossil assemblages. These geologists began to use the local names given to
rock units in a wider sense, correlating strata across national and continental boundaries based on their similarity to each other.
Many of the names below erathem/era rank in use on the modern ICC/GTS were determined during the early to mid-19th
century.
During the 19th century, the debate regarding Earth's age was renewed, with geologists estimating ages based on denudation
rates and sedimentary thicknesses or ocean chemistry, and physicists determining ages for the cooling of the Earth or the Sun
using basic thermodynamics or orbital physics.[5] These estimations varied from 15,000 million years to 0.075 million years
depending on method and author, but the estimations of Lord Kelvin and Clarence King were held in high regard at the time due
to their pre-eminence in physics and geology. All of these early geochronometric determinations would later prove to be
incorrect.
The discovery of radioactive decay by Henri Becquerel, Marie Curie, and Pierre Curie laid the ground work for radiometric
dating, but the knowledge and tools required for accurate determination of radiometric ages would not be in place until the mid-
1950s.[5] Early attempts at determining ages of uranium minerals and rocks by Ernest Rutherford, Bertram Boltwood, Robert
Strutt, and Arthur Holmes, would culminate in what are considered the first international geological time scales by Holmes in
1911 and 1913.[28][46][47] The discovery of isotopes in 1913[48] by Frederick Soddy, and the developments in mass
spectrometry pioneered by Francis William Aston, Arthur Jeffrey Dempster, and Alfred O. C. Nier during the early to mid-20th
century would finally allow for the accurate determination of radiometric ages, with Holmes publishing several revisions to his
geological time-scale with his final version in 1960.[5][47][49][50]
The establishment of the IUGS in 1961[51] and acceptance of the Commission on Stratigraphy (applied in 1965)[52] to become a
member commission of IUGS led to the founding of the ICS. One of the primary objectives of the ICS is "the establishment,
publication and revision of the ICS International Chronostratigraphic Chart which is the standard, reference global Geological
Time Scale to include the ratified Commission decisions".[1]
Following on from Holmes, several A Geological Time Scale books were published in 1982,[53] 1989,[54] 2004,[55] 2008,[56]
2012,[57] 2016,[58] and 2020.[59] However, since 2013, the ICS has taken responsibility for producing and distributing the ICC
citing the commercial nature, independent creation, and lack oversight of the by ICS on the prior published GTS versions (GTS
books prior to 2013) although these versions were published in close association with the ICS.[2] Subsequent Geologic Time
Scale books (2016[58] and 2020[59]) are commercial publications with no oversight from the ICS, and do not entirely conform to
the chart produced by the ICS. The ICS produced GTS charts are versioned (year/month) beginning at v2013/01. At least one
new version is published each year incorporating any changes ratified by the ICS since the prior version.
The following five timelines show the geologic time scale to scale. The first shows the entire time from the formation of the
Earth to the present, but this gives little space for the most recent eon. The second timeline shows an expanded view of the most
recent eon. In a similar way, the most recent era is expanded in the third timeline, the most recent period is expanded in the fourth
timeline, and the most recent epoch is expanded in the fifth timeline.
Millions of Years (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th)
First suggested in 2000,[60] the Anthropocene is a proposed epoch/series for the most recent time in Earth's history. While still
informal, it is a widely used term to denote the present geologic time interval, in which many conditions and processes on Earth
are profoundly altered by human impact.[61] As of April 2022 the Anthropocene has not been ratified by the ICS; however, in
May 2019 the Anthropocene Working Group voted in favour of submitting a formal proposal to the ICS for the establishment of
the Anthropocene Series/Epoch.[62] However, the definition of the Anthropocene as a geologic time period rather than a
geologic event remains controversial and difficult.[63][64][65][66]
An international working group of the ICS on pre-Cryogenian chronostratigraphic subdivision have outlined a template to
improve the pre-Cyrogenian geologic time scale based on the rock record to bring it in line with the post-Tonian geologic time
scale.[6] This work assessed the geologic history of the currently defined eons and eras of the pre-Cambrian,[note 3] and the
proposals in the "Geological Time Scale" books 2004,[67] 2012,[3] and 2020.[68] Their recommend revisions[6] of the pre-
Cryogenian geologic time scale were (changes from the current scale [v2022/02] are italicised):
Three divisions of the Archean instead of four by dropping Eoarchean, and revisions to their geochronometric
definition, along with the repositioning of the Siderian into the latest Neoarchean, and a potential Kratian
division in the Neoarchean.
Archean (4000–2450 Ma)
Paleoarchean (4000–3500 Ma)
Mesoarchean (3500–3000 Ma)
Neoarchean (3500–2450 Ma)
Kratian (no fixed time given, prior to the Siderian) – from Greek word κράτος (krátos), meaning
strength.
Siderian (?–2450 Ma) – moved from Proterozoic to end of Archean, no start time given, base of
Paleoproterozoic defines the end of the Siderian
Refinement of geochronometric divisions of the Proterozoic, Paleoproterozoic, repositioning of the Statherian
into the Mesoproterozoic, new Skourian period/system in the Paleoproterozoic, new Kleisian or Syndian
period/system in the Neoproterozoic.
Paleoproterozoic (2450–1800 Ma)
Skourian (2450–2300 Ma) – from the Greek word σκουριά (skouriá), meaning 'rust'.
Rhyacian (2300–2050 Ma)
Orosirian (2050–1800 Ma)
Mesoproterozoic (1800–1000 Ma)
Statherian (1800–1600 Ma)
Calymmian (1600–1400 Ma)
Ectasian (1400-1200 Ma)
Stenian (1200–1000 Ma)
Neoproterozoic (1000–538.8 Ma)[note 5]
Kleisian or Syndian (1000–800 Ma) – respectively from the Greek words κλείσιμο (kleísimo) meaning
'closure', and σύνδεση (sýndesi) meaning 'connection'.
Tonian (800–720 Ma)
Cryogenian (720–635 Ma)
Ediacaran (635–538.8 Ma)
Proposed pre-Cambrian timeline (Shield et al. 2021, ICS working group on pre-Cryogenian chronostratigraphy), shown to
scale:[note 6]
The book, Geologic Time Scale 2012, was the last commercial publication of an international chronostratigraphic chart that was
closely associated with the ICS.[2] It included a proposal to substantially revise the pre-Cryogenian time scale to reflect important
events such as the formation of the solar system and the Great Oxidation Event, among others, while at the same time
maintaining most of the previous chronostratigraphic nomenclature for the pertinent time span.[69] As of April 2022 these
proposed changes have not been accepted by the ICS. The proposed changes were (changes from the current scale [v2022/02]
are italicised):
The content of the table is based on the official ICC produced and maintained by the ICS who also provide an online interactive
version of this chart. The interactive version is based on a service delivering a machine-readable Resource Description
Framework/Web Ontology Language representation of the time scale, which is available through the Commission for the
Management and Application of Geoscience Information GeoSciML project as a service[75] and at a SPARQL end-point.[76][77]
Start,
Eonothem/
Erathem/ System/
Series/
Stage/ million
Major events
Eon Era Period Epoch Age years ago
[note 7]
Phanerozoic Cenozoic
Quaternary 4.2-kiloyear event,
[note 4] Austronesian
Meghalayan expansion, 0.0042 *
increasing industrial
CO2.
8.2-kiloyear event,
Holocene climatic
optimum. Sea level
flooding of
Doggerland and
Sundaland. Sahara
becomes a desert.
Northgrippian 0.0082 *
End of Stone Age
and start of
recorded history.
Holocene Humans finally
expand into the
Arctic Archipelago
and Greenland.
Climate stabilizes.
Current interglacial
and Holocene
extinction begins.
Agriculture begins. 0.0117
Humans spread ± 0.000099
Greenlandian
across the wet *
Sahara and Arabia,
the Extreme North,
and the Americas
(mainland and the
Caribbean).
Pleistocene Eemian interglacial,
last glacial period,
ending with Younger
Dryas. Toba
eruption.
Pleistocene
Upper/Late
megafauna 0.129
('Tarantian')
(including the last
terror birds)
extinction. Humans
expand into Near
Oceania and the
Americas.
Mid-Pleistocene
Transition occurs,
high amplitude 100
Chibanian 0.774 *
ka glacial cycles.
Rise of Homo
sapiens.
Further cooling of
the climate. Giant
terror birds go
Calabrian extinct. Spread of 1.8 *
Homo erectus
across Afro-
Eurasia.
Gelasian Start of Quaternary 2.58 *
glaciations and
unstable climate.[78]
Rise of the
Pleistocene
megafauna and
Homo habilis.
Neogene Greenland ice sheet
develops[79] as the
cold slowly
intensifies towards
the Pleistocene.
Atmospheric O2
and CO2 content
reaches present-
day levels while
landmasses also
reach their current
locations (e.g. the
Piacenzian Isthmus of Panama 3.6 *
joins the North and
South Americas,
while allowing a
faunal interchange).
Pliocene The last non-
marsupial
metatherians go
extinct.
Australopithecus
common in East
Africa; Stone Age
begins.[80]
Zanclean flooding of
the Mediterranean
Basin. Cooling
climate continues
Zanclean from the Miocene. 5.333 *
First equines and
elephantines.
Ardipithecus in
Africa.[80]
Miocene Messinian Event
with hypersaline
lakes in empty
Mediterranean
Basin. Sahara
desert formation
Messinian
begins. Moderate 7.246 *
icehouse climate,
punctuated by ice
ages and re-
establishment of
East Antarctic Ice
Sheet.
Choristoderes, the
last non-crocodilian
crocodylomorphs
and creodonts go
extinct. After
separating from
Tortonian 11.63 *
gorilla ancestors,
chimpanzee and
human ancestors
gradually separate;
Sahelanthropus and
Orrorin in Africa.
Serravallian Middle Miocene 13.82 *
climate optimum
temporarily
provides a warm
climate.[81]
Extinctions in
middle Miocene
disruption,
decreasing shark
Langhian diversity. First 15.97
hippos. Ancestor of
great apes.
Burdigalian Orogeny in 20.44
Northern
Hemisphere. Start
of Kaikoura
Orogeny forming
Southern Alps in
New Zealand.
Widespread forests
slowly draw in
massive amounts
of CO2, gradually
lowering the level of
atmospheric CO2
from 650 ppmv
down to around 100
ppmv during the
Miocene.[82][note 8]
Modern bird and
mammal families
become
Aquitanian recognizable. The 23.03 *
last of the primitive
whales go extinct.
Grasses become
ubiquitous.
Ancestor of apes,
including
humans.[83][84]
Afro-Arabia collides
with Eurasia, fully
forming the Alpide
Belt and closing the
Tethys Ocean,
while allowing a
faunal interchange.
At the same time,
Afro-Arabia splits
into Africa and West
Asia.
Paleogene Oligocene Grande Coupure
extinction. Start of
widespread
Antarctic
glaciation.[85] Rapid
Chattian 27.82
evolution and
diversification of
fauna, especially
mammals (e.g. first
macropods and
seals). Major
Rupelian evolution and 33.9 *
dispersal of modern
types of flowering
plants.
Cimolestans,
miacoids and
condylarths go
extinct. First
neocetes (modern,
fully aquatic
whales) appear.
Eocene Moderate, cooling
climate. Archaic
mammals (e.g.
creodonts,
miacoids,
Priabonian "condylarths" etc.) 37.71 *
flourish and
continue to develop
during the epoch.
Appearance of
several "modern"
mammal families.
Primitive whales
and sea cows
diversify after
returning to water.
Birds continue to
diversify. First kelp,
Bartonian 41.2
diprotodonts, bears
and simians. The
multituberculates
and leptictidans go
extinct by the end of
the epoch.
Reglaciation of
Antarctica and
formation of its ice
cap; End of
Laramide and
Sevier Orogenies of
Lutetian the Rocky 47.8 *
Mountains in North
America. Hellenic
Orogeny begins in
Greece and Aegean
Sea.
Ypresian Two transient 56 *
events of global
warming (PETM
and ETM-2) and
warming climate
until the Eocene
Climatic Optimum.
The Azolla event
decreased CO2
levels from 3500
ppm to 650 ppm,
setting the stage for
a long period of
cooling.[82][note 8]
Greater India
collides with
Eurasia and starts
Himalayan Orogeny
(allowing a biotic
interchange) while
Eurasia completely
separates from
North America,
creating the North
Atlantic Ocean.
Maritime Southeast
Asia diverges from
the rest of Eurasia.
First passerines,
ruminants,
pangolins, bats and
true primates.
Formation of protolith of the oldest known rock (Acasta Gneiss) c. 4,031 to 3,580 Ma.[91][92]
Hadean
Possible first appearance of plate tectonics. First hypothetical life forms. End of the Early ~4600
[note 13] Bombardment Phase. Oldest known mineral (Zircon, 4,404 ± 8 Ma).[93] Asteroids and [note 11]
comets bring water to Earth, forming the first oceans. Formation of Moon (4,533 to 4,527
Ma), probably from a giant impact. Formation of Earth (4,570 to 4,567.17 Ma)
The geologic history of Earth's Moon has been divided into a time scale based on geomorphological markers, namely impact
cratering, volcanism, and erosion. This process of dividing the Moon's history in this manner means that the time scale
boundaries do not imply fundamental changes in geological processes, unlike Earth's geologic time scale. Five geologic
systems/periods (Pre-Nectarian, Nectarian, Imbrian, Eratosthenian, Copernican), with the Imbrian divided into two series/epochs
(Early and Late) were defined in the latest Lunar geologic time scale.[94] The Moon is unique in the Solar System that is the only
other body which we have rock samples with a known geological context.
The geological history of Mars has been divided into two alternate time scales. The first time scale for Mars was developed by
studying the impact crater densities on the Martian surface. Through this method four periods have been defined, the Pre-
Noachian (~4,500–4,100 Ma), Noachian (~4,100–3,700 Ma), Hesperian (~3,700–3,000 Ma), and Amazonian (~3,000 Ma to
present).[95][96]
A second time scale based on mineral alteration observed by the OMEGA spectrometer on-board the Mars Express. Using this
method, three periods were defined, the Phyllocian (~4,500–4,000 Ma), Theiikian (~4,000–3,500 Ma), and Siderikian (~3,500
Ma to present).[97]
See also
Age of the Earth History of the Earth New Zealand geologic time scale
Cosmic calendar History of geology Prehistoric life
Deep time History of paleontology Timeline of the Big Bang
Evolutionary history of life List of fossil sites Timeline of evolution
Formation and evolution of the List of geochronologic names Timeline of the geologic history of
Solar System Logarithmic timeline the United States
Geological history of Earth Lunar geologic timescale Timeline of human evolution
Geology of Mars Martian geologic timescale Timeline of natural history
Geon (geology) Natural history Timeline of paleontology
Graphical timeline of the universe
Notes
1. It is now known that not all sedimentary layers are deposited purely horizontally, but this principle is still a
useful concept.
2. Time spans of geologic time units vary broadly, and there is no numeric limitation on the time span they can
represent. They are limited by the time span of the higher rank unit they belong to, and to the
chronostratigraphic boundaries they are defined by.
3. Precambrian or pre-Cambrian is an informal geological term for time before the Cambrian period
4. The Tertiary is a now obsolete geologic system/period spanning from 66 Ma to 2.6 Ma. It has no exact
equivalent in the modern ICC, but is approximately equivalent to the merged Palaeogene and Neogene
systems/periods.
5. Geochronometric date for the Ediacaran has been adjusted to reflect ICC v2022/02 as the formal definition for
the base of the Cambrian has not changed.
6. Kratian time span is not given in the article. It lies within the Neoarchean, and prior to the Siderian. The position
shown here is an arbitrary division.
7. The dates and uncertainties quoted are according to the International Commission on Stratigraphy International
Chronostratigraphic chart (v2022/02). A * indicates boundaries where a Global Boundary Stratotype Section
and Point has been internationally agreed.
8. For more information on this, see Atmosphere of Earth#Evolution of Earth's atmosphere, Carbon dioxide in the
Earth's atmosphere, and climate change. Specific graphs of reconstructed CO2 levels over the past ~550, 65,
and 5 million years can be seen at File:Phanerozoic Carbon Dioxide.png, File:65 Myr Climate Change.png,
File:Five Myr Climate Change.png, respectively.
9. The Mississippian and Pennsylvanian are official sub-systems/sub-periods.
10. This is divided into Lower/Early, Middle, and Upper/Late series/epochs
11. Defined by absolute age (Global Standard Stratigraphic Age).
12. The age of the oldest measurable craton, or continental crust, is dated to 3,600–3,800 Ma.
13. Though commonly used, the Hadean is not formally ratified by the ICS.
14. Not enough is known about extra-solar planets for worthwhile speculation.
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Further reading
Aubry, Marie-Pierre; Van Couvering, John A.; Christie-Blick, Nicholas; Landing, Ed; Pratt, Brian R.; Owen,
Donald E.; Ferrusquia-Villafranca, Ismael (2009). "Terminology of geological time: Establishment of a
community standard". Stratigraphy. 6 (2): 100–105. doi:10.7916/D8DR35JQ (https://doi.org/10.7916%2FD8DR
35JQ).
Gradstein, F. M.; Ogg, J. G. (2004). "A Geologic Time scale 2004 – Why, How and Where Next!" (https://web.arc
hive.org/web/20180417173639/http://eesc.columbia.edu/courses/w4937/Readings/Gradstein_Ogg_2004.pdf)
(PDF). Lethaia. 37 (2): 175–181. doi:10.1080/00241160410006483 (https://doi.org/10.1080%2F002411604100
06483). Archived from the original (https://eesc.columbia.edu/courses/w4937/Readings/Gradstein_Ogg_2004.p
df) (PDF) on 17 April 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
Gradstein, Felix M.; Ogg, James G.; Smith, Alan G. (2004). A Geologic Time Scale 2004 (https://books.google.c
om/books?id=rse4v1P-f9kC). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-78142-8.
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Gradstein, Felix M.; Ogg, James G.; Smith, Alan G.; Bleeker, Wouter; Laurens, Lucas, J. (June 2004). "A new
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s%2F2004%2Fv27i2%2F002). Episodes. 27 (2): 83–100. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2004/v27i2/002 (https://doi.org/
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4/09/28/351692717/embracing-deep-time-thinking). NPR. NPR Cosmos & Culture.
Ialenti, Vincent (21 September 2014). "Pondering 'Deep Time' Could Inspire New Ways To View Climate
Change" (https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2014/09/21/350344129/pondering-deep-time-could-inspire-new-wa
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6%2Fscience.1098803). PMID 15286353 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15286353). S2CID 32763298 (http
s://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:32763298). Retrieved 18 November 2011.
Levin, Harold L. (2010). "Time and Geology" (https://books.google.com/books?id=D0yl7Cqsu78C&pg=PA29).
The Earth Through Time (https://books.google.com/books?id=D0yl7Cqsu78C). Hoboken, New Jersey: John
Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-38774-0. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
Montenari, Michael (2016). Stratigraphy and Timescales (https://books.google.com/books?id=xzJQDAAAQBA
J) (1st ed.). Amsterdam: Academic Press (Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-811549-7.
Montenari, Michael (2017). Advances in Sequence Stratigraphy (https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Advan
ces_in_Sequence_Stratigraphy.html?id=j5KZDgAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y) (1st ed.). Amsterdam: Academic Press
(Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-813077-3 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/bookseries/stratigraphy-and-timescales/vo
l/2/suppl/C)
Montenari, Michael (2018). Cyclostratigraphy and Astrochronology (https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Cyc
lostratigraphy_and_Astrochronology.html?id=mlVwDwAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y)
(1st ed.). Amsterdam: Academic Press (Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-815098-6 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/boo
kseries/stratigraphy-and-timescales/vol/3/suppl/C)
Montenari, Michael (2019). Case Studies in Isotope Stratigraphy (https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Case
_Studies_in_Isotope_Stratigraphy.html?id=am-9DwAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y) (1st
ed.). Amsterdam: Academic Press (Elsevier), ISBN 978-0-12-817552-1 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/bookser
ies/stratigraphy-and-timescales/vol/4/suppl/C)
Montenari, Michael (2020). Carbon Isotope Stratigraphy (https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Carbon_Isotop
e_Stratigraphy.html?id=-N4EEAAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y) (1st ed.). Amsterdam:
Academic Press (Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-820991-2 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/bookseries/stratigraphy-a
nd-timescales/vol/5/suppl/C)
Montenari, Michael (2021). Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy (https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Ca
lcareous_Nannofossil_Biostratigraphy.html?id=2h9OEAAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y)
(1st ed.). Amsterdam: Academic Press (Elsevier). ISBN 978-0-12-824624-5 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/boo
kseries/stratigraphy-and-timescales/vol/6/suppl/C)
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_and_Stratigraphy/Gcgp5oLFrZMC?hl=en&gbpv=0) (2nd ed.). Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-
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1641160759
External links
The current version of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart can be found at stratigraphy.org/chart (https://
stratigraphy.org/chart)
Interactive version of the International Chronostratigraphic Chart is found at stratigraphy.org/timescale (https://str
atigraphy.org/timescale)
A list of current Global Boundary Stratotype and Section Points is found at stratigraphy.org/gssps (https://stratigr
aphy.org/gssps/)
NASA: Geologic Time (https://web.archive.org/web/20050418090602/http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect2/Sect2_1b.ht
ml)
GSA: Geologic Time Scale (https://web.archive.org/web/20190120115100/https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/Edu
cation_Careers/Geologic_Time_Scale/GSA/timescale/home.aspx)
British Geological Survey: Geological Timechart (http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/time/timechart/hom
e.html)
GeoWhen Database (https://web.archive.org/web/20040623025505/http://www.stratigraphy.org/geowhen/)
National Museum of Natural History – Geologic Time (https://web.archive.org/web/20051111150720/http://www.
nmnh.si.edu/paleo/geotime/index.htm)
SeeGrid: Geological Time Systems (https://www.seegrid.csiro.au/twiki/bin/view/CGIModel/GeologicTime)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080723195950/https://www.seegrid.csiro.au/twiki/bin/view/CGIModel/
GeologicTime) 23 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine Information model for the geologic time scale
Exploring Time (http://exploringtime.org/?page=segments) from Planck Time to the lifespan of the universe
Episodes (https://web.archive.org/web/20120425232455/http://www.episodes.co.in/www/backissues/272/Tim
e%20Scale.pdf), Gradstein, Felix M. et al. (2004) A new Geologic Time Scale, with special reference to
Precambrian and Neogene, Episodes, Vol. 27, no. 2 June 2004 (pdf)
Lane, Alfred C, and Marble, John Putman 1937. Report of the Committee on the measurement of geologic time
(https://books.google.com/books?id=ckIrAAAAYAAJ&printsec=toc#PPP1,M1)
Lessons for Children on Geologic Time (https://web.archive.org/web/20110714173934/http://www.newsciencel
essons.com/geology_lesson_plans.html)
Deep Time – A History of the Earth : Interactive Infographic (http://deeptime.info)
Geology Buzz: Geologic Time Scale (https://geology.buzz/threads/geologic-time-scale.36/)