In the geologic timescale, the Bajocian is an age and stage in the Middle Jurassic. It lasted from approximately 170.9 ±0.8 Ma to around 168.2 ±1.2 Ma (million years ago). The Bajocian Age succeeds the Aalenian Age and precedes the Bathonian Age.[4]
| Bajocian | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170.9 ± 0.8 – 168.2 ± 1.2 Ma
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| Chronology | |||||||||
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| 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 the Ammonites Hyperlioceras mundum, Hyperlioceras furcatum, Braunsina aspera, and Braunsina elegantula | ||||||||
| Lower boundary GSSP | Cabo Mondego, Portugal 40°11′57″N 8°54′15″W / 40.1992°N 8.9042°W / 40.1992; -8.9042 | ||||||||
| Lower GSSP ratified | 1996[2] | ||||||||
| Upper boundary definition | FAD of the Ammonite Gonolkites convergen | ||||||||
| Upper boundary GSSP | Ravin du Bès, Bas-Auran, Alpes de Haute, France 43°57′38″N 6°18′55″E / 43.9606°N 6.3153°E / 43.9606; 6.3153 | ||||||||
| Upper GSSP ratified | July 2008[3] | ||||||||
The Bajocian Stage takes its name from the Latin name (Bajocae) of the town of Bayeux, in the region of NormandyinFrance. The stage was named and introduced in scientific literature by French palaeontologist Alcide d'Orbigny in 1842.
The base of the Bajocian stage is defined as the place in the stratigraphic column where fossils of the ammonite genus Hyperlioceras first appear. A global reference profile (aGSSP) for the base is located at Murtinheira, close to Cabo MondegoinPortugal.[5] The top of the Bajocian (the base of the Bathonian) is at the first appearance of ammonite species Parkinsonia convergens.
The Bajocian is often divided into Lower/Early and Upper/Late subages or substages.
In the Tethys domain, the Bajocian contains seven ammonite biozones:
