Burdigalian

The Burdigalian is a stage in the geologic timescale that corresponds to a period of the Neogene era, specifically within the Miocene epoch. It spans from approximately 17.0 to 15.97 million years ago, marking a significant interval in Earth's history characterized by notable climatic and environmental changes.

The Burdigalian stage is named after the city of Bordeaux in France, where its stratigraphic deposits were first studied. This stage follows the Aquitanian and precedes the Langhian, forming part of the regional stratigraphic framework established for the Mediterranean region. Globally, it aligns with the early Miocene, a time of ongoing global cooling and the development of modern ocean currents, including the strengthening of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

During the Burdigalian, marine conditions were prevalent across much of Europe, with widespread shallow seas covering large areas of what is now western and central Europe. These environments fostered diverse marine ecosystems, including mollusks, corals, and fish, many of which are well-preserved in fossil records. Terrestrial habitats also evolved, with forests expanding and diversifying as climate conditions shifted.

The Burdigalian is notable for its sedimentary deposits, which include marine limestones, clays, and sandstones, often rich in fossils. These deposits provide valuable insights into past environmental conditions, such as sea-level fluctuations, tectonic activity, and paleoclimate variations. The stage is particularly important for understanding the transition from the warm, humid conditions of the early Miocene to the cooler, more seasonal climates of the middle Miocene.

Stratigraphically, the Burdigalian is defined by specific fossil assemblages and lithological markers, which help geologists correlate rock layers across different regions. Its study contributes to broader understanding of Earth's history, including the evolution of life, tectonic processes, and long-term climate trends.