European Neogene Marine/Continental Chronologic Correlations

Abstract

An updated correlation is given of the revised Neogene European mammal chronology with the Neogene marine chronology and the magnetic polarity time scale. The boundary of the Agenian/Orleanian mammal-faunal units (boundary of MN2b/MN3 zones) correlates approximately with the Aquitanian/Burdigalian Stage (NN1/NN2) boundary. The Orleanian/ Astaracian (MN5/MN6) boundary correlates approximately with the Burdigalian/Langhian Stage (NN4/NN5) boundary; the Astaracian/Vallesian (MN8/MN9) boundary correlates approximately with the Serravallian/Tortonian Stage boundary (within NN9); the Vallesian/Turolian (MN10/MN11) boundary occurs within the middle part of the Tortonian Stage (within NNlO, resp. between CN8a and CN8b); the Turolian/Ruscinian (MN13/MN14) boundary coincides approximately with the Messinian/Zanclean Stage boundary and the upper boundary of the Ruscinian mammal faunal zones (MN15/MN16) correlate approximate- ly within the Upper Pliocene (resp. the lower Piacenzian Stage). The upper limit of the MN17 mammal faunal zone occurs within the lowermost Pleistocene. INTRODUCTION