| Wolstonian | |
|---|---|
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Hoxnian |
| Followed by | Ipswichian |
| Usage information | |
| Celestial body | Earth |
| Regional usage | Regional |
| Used by |  United Kingdom |
| Definition | |
| Chronological unit | Age |
| Stratigraphic unit | Stage |
The Wolstonian Stage is a middle Pleistocene stage of the geological history of Earth from approximately 374,000 until 130,000 years ago. It precedes the Last Interglacial (also called the Eemian Stage) and follows the Hoxnian Stage in the British Isles.
It is also approximately analogous to the Warthe and Saalian stages in northern Europe; the Riss glaciation in the Alps; and the Illinoian Stage in North America. The colder last part from around 194,000 years ago is called the Penultimate Glacial Period.
It is equivalent to Marine isotope stages (MIS) 10 through 6. MIS 10, 8 and 6 were glacial periods and 9 and 7 were interglacials.
It is named after Wolston in the English county of Warwickshire.