| System/ Period | Series/ Epoch | Stage/ Age | Age (Ma) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quaternary | Pleistocene | Gelasian | younger | |
| Neogene | Pliocene | Piacenzian | 2.58 | 3.600 |
| Zanclean | 3.600 | 5.333 | ||
| Miocene | Messinian | 5.333 | 7.246 | |
| Tortonian | 7.246 | 11.63 | ||
| Serravallian | 11.63 | 13.82 | ||
| Langhian | 13.82 | 15.97 | ||
| Burdigalian | 15.97 | 20.44 | ||
| Aquitanian | 20.44 | 23.03 | ||
| Paleogene | Oligocene | Chattian | older | |
| Subdivision of the Neogene Period according to theICS, as of 2017[1] | ||||
TheMiddle Miocene is a sub-epoch of theMioceneepoch made up of twostages: theLanghian andSerravallian stages. The Middle Miocene is preceded by theEarly Miocene, and followed by theLate Miocene.
The sub-epoch lasted from 15.97 ± 0.05 Ma (million years ago) to 11.608 ± 0.005 Ma. During this period, a sharp drop in global temperatures took place. This event is known as theMiddle Miocene Climatic Transition.
For the purpose of establishingEuropean land mammal ages, this sub-epoch is equivalent to theAstaracian age.
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