Zanclean

Formerly part ofTertiaryPeriod/SystemEtymologyName formalityFormalUsage informationCelestial bodyEarthRegional usageGlobal (ICS)Time scale(s) usedICS Time ScaleDefinitionChronological unitAgeStratigraphic unitStageTime span formalityFormalLower boundary definitionBase of the Thvera magnetic event (C3n.4n), which is only 96 ka (5 precession cycles) younger than the GSSPLower boundary GSSPHeraclea Minoa section, Heraclea Minoa, Cattolica Eraclea, Sicily, Italy
37°23′30″N13°16′50″E / 37.3917°N 13.2806°E / 37.3917; 13.2806Lower GSSP ratified2000Upper boundary definitionBase of Gauss/Gilbert (C2An/C2Ar) magnetic reversalUpper boundary GSSPPunta Piccola Section, Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Italy
37°17′20″N13°29′36″E / 37.2889°N 13.4933°E / 37.2889; 13.4933Upper GSSP ratifiedJanuary 1997

The Zanclean is the lowest stage or earliest age on the geologic time scale of the Pliocene. It spans the time between 5.332 ± 0.005 Ma (million years ago) and 3.6 ± 0.005 Ma. It is preceded by the Messinian Age of the MioceneEpoch, and followed by the Piacenzian Age.

The Zanclean can be correlated with regionally used stages, such as the Opoitian of New Zealand, and the Tabianian or Dacian of Central Europe. It also corresponds to the late Hemphillian to mid-BlancanNorth American Land Mammal Ages. In California, the Zanclean roughly corresponds to the middle part of the Delmontian stage.