In
geochronology, an epoch is a subdivision of the
geologic timescale that is longer than an
age but shorter than a
period. The current epoch is the
Holocene Epoch of the
Quaternary Period. Rock layers deposited during an epoch are called a
series. Series are subdivisions of the
stratigraphic column that, like epochs, are subdivisions of the geologic timescale. Like other geochronological divisions, epochs are normally separated by significant changes in the rock layers to which they correspond.
Epochs are most commonly used for the younger Cenozoic Era, where a greater collection of fossils has been found and paleontologists have more detailed knowledge of the events that occurred during those times. They are less commonly referred to for the other eras and eons, since less fossil evidence exists that allows us to form a clearer view of those time periods.
List of epochs (series) in the Phanerozoic eon
List is ordered from youngest to oldest and subdivided based on
era and
period. Certain periods, notably those in the Mesozoic are divided into Early, Middle and Late epochs, with the corresponding stratigraphic 'series' named as Lower, Middle and Upper.
Cenozoic Era
*
Quaternary Period
**
Anthropocene Epoch (proposed)
**
Holocene Epoch
**
Pleistocene Epoch
*
Neogene Period
**
Pliocene Epoch
**
Miocene Epoch
*
Paleogene Period
**
Oligocene Epoch
**
Eocene Epoch
**
Paleocene Epoch
Mesozoic Era
*
Cretaceous Period
**
Late (Upper) Epoch
**
Early (Lower) Epoch
*
Jurassic Period
**
Late (Upper) Epoch
**
Middle Epoch
**
Early (Lower) Epoch
*
Triassic Period
**
Late (Upper) Epoch
**
Middle Epoch
**
Early (Lower) Epoch
Paleozoic Era
*
Permian Period
**
Lopingian Epoch
**
Guadalupian Epoch
**
Cisuralian Epoch
*
Carboniferous Period
**
Pennsylvanian Epoch*
**
Mississippian Epoch*
*
Devonian Period Epoch
**Late (Upper) Epoch
**Middle Epoch
**Early (Lower) Epoch
*
Silurian Period
**
Pridoli Epoch
**
Ludlow Epoch
**
Wenlock Epoch
**
Llandovery Epoch
*
Ordovician Period
**Late (Upper) Epoch
**Middle Epoch
**Early (Lower) Epoch
*
Cambrian Period
**
Late (Upper)/Furongian Epoch
**Middle Epoch
**Early (Lower) Epoch
(Note that there are differences in the rank traditionally accorded to divisions of the Carboniferous between Europe and North America.)
Geological hierarchy of chronological periodization
Geochronology: From largest to smallest:
#
Supereon
#
Eon
#
Era
#
Period
#
Epoch
#
Age
#
Chron
References
*; 2004: ''A Geologic Time Scale 2004'',
Cambridge University Press
{{Geological history|c
Category:Geochronology
Category:Geologic time scales
Category:Units of geologic time by rank