Aquitanian (stage)


The Aquitanian is, in the 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 during the Early Miocene. It is a dry, cooling period. The Aquitanian succeeds the Chattian and precedes the Burdigalian.
The Aquitanian age overlaps with the Harrisonian, Agenian, Pareora, Landon, Otaian, and Waitakian ages from various regional timescales.

Stratigraphic definition

The Aquitanian stage was named after the region Aquitaine in France and was introduced in scientific literature by Swiss stratigrapher Karl Mayer-Eymar in 1858.
The base of the Aquitanian is defined as the place in the stratigraphic column at the first appearance of foram species Paragloborotalia kugleri, the extinction of calcareous nanoplankton species Reticulofenestra bisecta, and the base of magnetic chronozone C6Cn.2n. The official GSSP for the Aquitanian stage lies in the Lemme-Carrosio section near the small village of Carrosio in northern Italy.
The top of the Aquitanian stage is at the first appearance of foram species Globigerinoides altiaperturus and the top of magnetic chronozone C6An.

Footnotes

Literature