Langhian

Langhian refers to a geological age within the Neogene Period, specifically the late stage of the Miocene epoch. It succeeded the Serravallian stage and was followed by the Messinian stage. The Langhian age is estimated to have spanned from approximately 15.97 million to 13.82 million years ago.

This period is characterized by significant changes in marine and terrestrial environments worldwide. In terms of paleoceanography, the Langhian saw the continuation of global cooling trends that began earlier in the Miocene, although there were still periods of warming. Sea levels fluctuated, impacting coastal ecosystems and the distribution of marine life.

Fossil evidence from the Langhian provides insights into the evolution and diversification of various species. Marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, continued to evolve, and new species of fish and invertebrates appeared. On land, the Langhian was a time of significant mammalian radiation, with the development of many modern ungulate families and the emergence of early hominoids in Africa.

The term "Langhian" is derived from the town of Langhe in the Piedmont region of Italy, where rock strata representative of this age were first studied and defined. The geological formations from this period are important for understanding the paleogeography and paleoecology of the Mediterranean region and beyond. Studying Langhian deposits helps scientists reconstruct past climates, sea levels, and the evolutionary history of life on Earth.