Pliocene
Sign in to saveThe Pliocene ( ; also Pleiocene) is the epoch in the geologic time scale that extends from 5.33 to 2.58 million years ago (Ma). It is the second and most recent epoch of the Neogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Pliocene follows the Miocene Epoch and is followed by the Pleistocene Epoch. Prior to the 2009 revision of the geologic time scale, which placed the four most recent major glaciations entirely within the Pleistocene, the Pliocene also included the Gelasian Stage, which lasted from 2.59 to 1.81 Ma, and is now included in the Pleistocene.
AI overview
The Pliocene is a period in Earth's history that lasted from about 5.33 to 2.58 million years ago, positioned between the Miocene and Pleistocene epochs within the Cenozoic Era. It matters to scientists studying Earth's past because it represents a key interval in our planet's geological record and helps us understand how climate and life evolved during that time.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Geologic timespan.name
- Pliocene
- Geologic timespan.color
- Pliocene
- Geologic timespan.time_start
- 5.333
- Geologic timespan.time_start_uncertainty
- 0.08
- Geologic timespan.time_end
- 2.58
- Geologic timespan.time_end_uncertainty
- 0.04
- Geologic timespan.image_map
- Mollweide Paleographic Map of Earth, 5 Ma (Zanclean Age).png
- Geologic timespan.caption_map
- A map of Earth as it appeared 5 million years ago during the Pliocene Epoch, Zanclean Age
- Geologic timespan.timeline
- Neogene
- Geologic timespan.name_formality
- Formal
- Geologic timespan.celestial_body
- earth
- Geologic timespan.usage
Article
20 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Subdivisions
- Climate
- Paleogeography
- Environment and evolution of human ancestors
- Flora
- Fauna
- Image gallery
- Mammals
- Birds
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Bivalves
- Corals
- Oceans
- Supernovae
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
The Pliocene ( ; also Pleiocene) is the epoch in the geologic time scale that extends from 5.33 to 2.58 million years ago (Ma). It is the second and most recent epoch of the Neogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Pliocene follows the Miocene Epoch and is followed by the Pleistocene Epoch. Prior to the 2009 revision of the geologic time scale, which placed the four most recent major glaciations entirely within the Pleistocene, the Pliocene also included the Gelasian Stage, which lasted from 2.59 to 1.81 Ma, and is now included in the Pleistocene.
As with other older geologic periods, the geological strata that define the start and end are well-identified but the exact dates of the start and end of the epoch are slightly uncertain. The boundaries defining the Pliocene are not set at an easily identified worldwide event but rather at regional boundaries between the warmer Miocene and the relatively cooler Pleistocene. The upper boundary was set at the start of the Pleistocene glaciations.