Pennsylvanian

Encyclopedia : P : PE : PEN : Pennsylvanian

The Pennsylvanian is an epoch of the Carboniferous period lasting from roughly 325 Ma to 286 Ma (million years ago). As with most other geologic periods, the rock beds that define the period are well identified, but the exact date of the start and end are uncertain by a few million years. The Pennsylvanian is named after the state of Pennsylvania where rocks from this age are widespread.

Generalized geographic map of the United States in Middle Pennsylvanian time.

In North America, where the early Carboniferous beds are primarily marine limestones, it is treated as a full fledged geologic period between the Mississippian and the Permian. In Europe, the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian are one more-or-less continuous sequence of lowland continental deposits and are lumped together as the Carboniferous period.

Refer to the Carboniferous period article for information on faunal stages, climate, etc.

External links

http://www.scotese.com/late.htm

Provides a picture of the world from this time period.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/carboniferous/carboniferous.html

Information on stratigraphies, localities, tectonics, and life.

http://www.palaeos.com/Paleozoic/Carboniferous/Pennsylvanian.htm

Carboniferous period
Mississippian			Pennsylvanian
Lower/Early	Middle	Upper/Late	Lower/Early	Middle	Upper/Late
Tournaisian	Viséan	Serpukhovian	Bashkirian	Moscovian	Kasimovian	Gzhelian

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