Oxfordian (stage)

For other uses, see Oxfordian (disambiguation).

The Oxfordian is, in the ICS' geologic timescale, the earliest age of the Late Jurassic Epoch, or the lowest stage of the Upper Jurassic Series. It spans the time between 161.5 ± 1.0 Ma and 154.8 ± 0.8 Ma (million years ago).^[3] The Oxfordian is preceded by the Callovian and is followed by the Kimmeridgian.

Oxfordian
161.5 ± 1.0 – 154.8 ± 0.8 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Cyclically alternating limestone (light, more competent) and marl/clay layers of Oxfordian age at Péry-Reuchenette, near Tavannes, Jura Mountains, Switzerland.
Chronology
−205 — – −200 — – −195 — – −190 — – −185 — – −180 — – −175 — – −170 — – −165 — – −160 — – −155 — – −150 — – −145 — – −140 — Mesozoic T Jurassic K LT Early Middle Late EK Rhaetian Hettangian Sinemurian Pliensbachian Toarcian Aalenian Bajocian Bathonian Callovian Oxfordian Kimmeridgian Tithonian Berriasian       ← Triassic–Jurassic extinction event Subdivision of the Jurassic according to the ICS, as of 2024.[1] Vertical axis scale: Millions of years ago
Etymology
Name formality	Formal
Usage information
Celestial body	Earth
Regional usage	Global (ICS)
Time scale(s) used	ICS Time Scale
Definition
Chronological unit	Age
Stratigraphic unit	Stage
Time span formality	Formal
Lower boundary definition	FAD of ammonite species Brightia thuouxensis
Lower boundary definition candidates	Horizon of the Ammonite Cardioceras redcliffense.
Lower boundary GSSP candidate section(s)	Redcliff Point, Dorset, UK Savouron, Provence, France
Upper boundary definition	FAD of the Ammonite Pictonia baylei
Upper boundary GSSP	Flodigarry, Skye, Scotland, UK 57.6610°N 6.2455°W / 57.6610; -6.2455
Upper GSSP ratified	2021[2]

Stratigraphic definitions

The Oxfordian Stage was called "Clunch Clay and Shale" by William Smith (1815–1816); in 1818 W. Buckland described them under the unwieldy title "Oxford, Forest or Fen Clay". The term Oxfordian was introduced by Alcide d'Orbigny in 1844. The name is derived from the English city of Oxford,^[4] where the beds are well developed, but they crop out almost continuously from Dorset to the coast of Yorkshire, generally forming low, broad valleys. They are well exposed at Weymouth, Oxford, Bedford, Peterborough, and in the cliffs at Scarborough, Red Cliff and Gristhorpe Bay. Rocks of this age are found also in Uig and Skye.^[5]

The base of the Oxfordian Stage is defined as the point in the stratigraphic record where the ammonite species Brightia thuouxensis first appears. A global reference profile for the base (a GSSP) had in 2009 not yet been assigned. The top of the Oxfordian Stage (the base of the Kimmeridgian) is at the first appearance of ammonite species Pictonia baylei.

In the Tethys domain, the Oxfordian contains six ammonite biozones:

• zone of Epipeltoceras bimammatum
• zone of Perishinctes bifurcatus
• zone of Gregoryceras transversarium
• zone of Perisphinctes plicatilis
• zone of Cardioceras cordatum
• zone of Quenstedtoceras mariae