Zanclean

Zanclean is the earliest age (or stage) of the Pliocene Epoch in the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) geologic timescale. It spans from about 5.333 million years ago (Ma) to about 3.6 Ma. The name is derived from Zancle, the ancient name of Messina in Sicily, reflecting early stratigraphic work in that region.

In the ICS timescale, the lower boundary of the Zanclean marks the base of the Pliocene, while the upper boundary marks the beginning of the Piacenzian, the late Pliocene. The exact boundary ages are defined by global stratigraphic conventions and are refined as new biostratigraphic and radiometric data become available.

The Zanclean interval is used globally to correlate marine and continental rock sequences. It is characterized by continued cooling after the Miocene, with climatic fluctuations and the early development of conditions that led toward Northern Hemisphere glaciation. Oceanography and climate were variable across basins, and regional faunas and floras reflect shifting environmental conditions. For paleontologists and geologists, the Zanclean provides a reference interval for studying the transition from Miocene to Pliocene mammal faunas, marine microfossil assemblages, and terrestrial deposits.

Because regional stratigraphy often employs local stages, lithologies of Zanclean rocks vary widely. Nevertheless, the stage serves as a key framework for correlating events across continents, including changes in sedimentation, climate, and biotic turnover that set the stage for the Piacenzian, the late Pliocene.