Calbrian

The Calabrian is a geological stage and age in the stratigraphic column of the Late Pleistocene epoch, spanning from approximately 774,000 to 717,000 years ago. It follows the Chibanian stage and precedes the Chatelian stage, marking a period within the broader Quaternary period. The Calabrian is named after Calabria, a region in southern Italy, where key geological formations from this time have been extensively studied.

This stage is characterized by significant climatic fluctuations, including glacial and interglacial cycles. The Calabrian is often associated with the onset of the last major ice age, though it predates the full glacial conditions of the subsequent Pleistocene glaciations. During this time, sea levels were lower than today due to the growth of continental ice sheets, exposing vast areas of continental shelf that are now submerged.

Paleontological evidence from the Calabrian includes a diverse range of fauna, including early hominins such as *Homo heidelbergensis* and various megafaunal species. Fossil records from this period provide insights into the evolutionary adaptations of species in response to changing environmental conditions. The Calabrian is also notable for its marine deposits, which have been crucial in refining the chronology of the Pleistocene epoch.

The Calabrian stage was formally defined in the 1970s as part of the International Commission on Stratigraphy’s efforts to standardize geological time scales. Its boundaries are defined by marine isotope stages (MIS), with the Calabrian corresponding roughly to Marine Isotope Stage 19. This stage is particularly important for understanding the transition between earlier interglacial periods and the more pronounced glacial cycles that followed.