Mississippian (geology) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mississippian |
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|---|---|
| 358.9 ± 0.4 – 323.2 ± 0.4 Ma | |
| Chronology | |
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Carboniferous graphical timeline
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Subdivision of the Carboniferous according to the ICS, as of 2021.
Vertical axis scale: millions of years ago |
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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 | Subperiod |
| Time span formality | Formal |
| Lower boundary definition | FAD of the Conodont Siphonodella sulcata (discovered to have biostratigraphic issues as of 2006) |
| Lower boundary GSSP | La Serre, Montagne Noire, France 43°33′20″N 3°21′26″E / 43.5555°N 3.3573°E |
| Lower GSSP ratified | 1990 |
| Upper boundary definition | FAD of the Conodont Declinognathodus nodiliferus |
| Upper boundary GSSP | Arrow Canyon, Nevada, United States 36°44′00″N 114°46′40″W / 36.7333°N 114.7778°W |
| Upper GSSP ratified | 1996 |
The Mississippian (pronounced miss-ə-SIP-ee-ən) is a time period in Earth's long history. It is also called the Lower Carboniferous or Early Carboniferous. This period is part of the larger Carboniferous period.
The Mississippian lasted for about 35.7 million years. It began around 358.9 million years ago and ended about 323.2 million years ago. Scientists study rock layers to understand these ancient times. The exact start and end dates can be a little uncertain.
This period gets its name from the Mississippi Valley in the United States. That is where rocks from this age are clearly seen.
During the Mississippian, much of the Northern Hemisphere was covered by shallow seas. The sea level was very high. Only a few large land areas, like parts of modern-day Canada and Scandinavia, remained dry. These land areas were surrounded by huge river deltas and calm lagoons. Limestone rocks formed in the warm, shallow seas.
In North America, the Mississippian is seen as its own geological period. It comes between the Devonian and the Pennsylvanian periods. During this time, the Appalachian Mountains began to form. This was a major mountain-building event.
In Europe, the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian periods are often grouped together. They are both part of the Carboniferous system. They are sometimes called the Lower Carboniferous and Upper Carboniferous there.
What are the Mississippian time periods?
Scientists divide the Mississippian into smaller time units called stages. These stages help us understand the changes over time.
The official global timescale divides the Mississippian into three stages:
- Serpukhovian (from about 330.9 to 323.2 million years ago)
- Visean (from about 346.7 to 330.9 million years ago)
- Tournaisian (from about 358.9 to 346.7 million years ago)
The names for the Visean and Tournaisian stages come from Europe. The Serpukhovian stage gets its name from Russia.
In North America, scientists use a different set of stages for the Mississippian. These stages are:
- Chesterian
- Meramecian
- Osagean
- Kinderhookian
These local names help geologists in North America describe the specific rock layers they find.
See also
In Spanish: Misisípico para niños
