Olitäsm

Olitäsm is a term that refers to a specific period of geological time. It is not a formally recognized unit of the Geologic Time Scale, but rather a descriptive term used in certain contexts. The term "olitäsm" is derived from combining parts of the words "oligocene" and "miocene," suggesting a time interval that bridges these two epochs.

The Oligocene epoch, a division of the Paleogene Period, lasted from approximately 33.9 million to 23.03 million years ago. It was characterized by significant global cooling and the formation of ice sheets in Antarctica. The Miocene epoch, part of the Neogene Period, followed, extending from approximately 23.03 million to 5.333 million years ago. This epoch saw the continued cooling trend and the diversification of mammals and grasses.

The period encompassed by "olitäsm" would therefore fall within the transition between the late Oligocene and the early Miocene. This transitional phase was a time of ongoing environmental and evolutionary change. Specific geological strata or fossil assemblages that exhibit characteristics of both epochs might be described using this term. Its usage is generally informal and context-dependent, often appearing in specialized paleontological or geological discussions where a precise formal epoch designation might be less critical than describing a transitional faunal or floral assemblage.