The Albian is both an age of the geologic timescale and a stage in the stratigraphic column. It is the youngest or uppermost subdivision of the Early Cretaceous Epoch/Series. Its approximate time range is 113.0 ± 1.0 annum to 100.5 ± 0.9 Ma (million years ago). The Albian is preceded by the Aptian and followed by the Cenomanian.For a detailed geologic timescale, see Gradstein et al. (2004)
A Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP), ratified by the IUGS in 2016, defines the base of the Albian as the first occurrence of the planktonic Hedbergellidae at the Col de Pré-Guittard section, Arnayon, Drôme, France.
The top of the Albian Stage (the base of the Cenomanian Stage and Upper Cretaceous Series) is defined as the place where the foram species Rotalipora first appears in the stratigraphic column.See Kennedy et al. (2004) for a description of the GSSP for the Cenomanian
The Albian is sometimes subdivided in Early/Lower, Middle and Late/Upper subages or substages. In western Europe, especially in the United Kingdom, a subdivision in two substages (Vraconian and Gaultian) is more often used.
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