Oldest age in the Miocene
Aquitanian −24 —
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−22 —
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−20 —
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−18 —
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−16 —
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−14 —
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−12 —
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−10 —
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−8 —
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−6 —
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−4 —
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−2 —
Subdivision of the Neogene according to the ICS , as of 2021. [ 3] Vertical axis: millions of years ago.
Formerly part of Tertiary Period /System Celestial body Earth Regional usage Global (ICS ) Time scale(s) used ICS Time Scale Chronological unit Age Stratigraphic unit Stage Time span formality Formal Lower boundary definition
Lower boundary GSSP Lemme-Carrosio Section, Carrosio , Italy 44°39′32″N 8°50′11″E / 44.6589°N 8.8364°E / 44.6589; 8.8364 Lower GSSP ratified 1996[ 4] Upper boundary definition Not formally defined Upper boundary definition candidates
Upper boundary GSSP candidate section(s) Astronomically tuned ODP -core
The Aquitanian is, in the International Commission on Stratigraphy 's (ICS) geologic timescale , the oldest age or lowest stage in the Miocene . It spans the time between 23.03 ± 0.05 Ma and 20.43 ± 0.05 Ma (million years ago) during the Early Miocene . It was a dry, cooling period.[ 5] The Aquitanian succeeds the Chattian (the youngest age of the Oligocene ) and precedes the Burdigalian .
The Aquitanian Age overlaps with the Harrisonian , Agenian , Pareora , Landon, Otaian, and Waitakian Ages from various regional timescales.
^ Krijgsman, W.; Garcés, M.; Langereis, C. G.; Daams, R.; Van Dam, J.; Van Der Meulen, A. J.; Agustí, J.; Cabrera, L. (1996). "A new chronology for the middle to late Miocene continental record in Spain". Earth and Planetary Science Letters . 142 (3–4): 367–380. Bibcode :1996E&PSL.142..367K . doi :10.1016/0012-821X(96)00109-4 .
^ Retallack, G. J. (1997). "Neogene Expansion of the North American Prairie" . PALAIOS . 12 (4): 380–390. doi :10.2307/3515337 . JSTOR 3515337 . Retrieved 2008-02-11 .
^ "ICS Timescale Chart" (PDF) . www.stratigraphy.org .
^ Steininger, Fritz F.; M. P. Aubry; W. A. Berggren; M. Biolzi; A. M. Borsetti; Julie E. Cartlidge; F. Cati; R. Corfield; R. Gelati; S. Iaccarino; C. Napoleone; F. Ottner; F. Rögl; R. Roetzel; S. Spezzaferri; F. Tateo; G. Villa; D. Zevenboom (1997). "The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Neogene" (PDF) . Episodes . 20 (1): 23–28. doi :10.18814/epiiugs/1997/v20i1/005 .
^ Edward Petuch, Ph.D. Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences