Part A
The Paleogene & Neogene Periods
The International Commission on Stratigraphy now recognizes three periods in the Cenozoic Era: the Paleogene (66-23 Ma), Neogene (23-2.58 Ma), and the Quaternary (2.58-0.0 Ma). Paleogene geologic time is informally described as the "Early Cenozoic" and Neogene and Quaternary geologic time as "Late Cenozoic". Although the terms "Paleogene" and "Neogene" are now the official standard, the older term "Tertiary" (66-2.58 Ma) is still widely used (especially on geologic maps). The Paleogene and Neogene Periods are further subdivided into smaller epochs, including the Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene.
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Figure 14-2. The official 2024/12 ICS geologic time scale (left) and its Cenozoic section (right). |
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Paleogene & Neogene Geologic Time
Let's your simplified geologic time scale (see Figure 14-3) to get familiar with the Paleogene and Neogene Periods. This geologic time scale is not drawn to scale as its focus is including all of the Periods of the Phanerozoic Eon and all of the Epochs of the Cenozoic Era.
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Figure 14-3. A simplified geologic time chart compiled from the 2024/12 ICS version. |
* IMPORTANT *
Using the PDF link above, print a hard-copy version of this chart for use in this lab.
Refer to the simplified geologic time chart in Figure 14-3 to answer Quiz Me! questions A01 through A08.
