Pennsylvanian

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For the Amtrak train that travels from New York to Pittsburgh, see Pennsylvanian (Amtrak).

The Pennsylvanian is an epoch of the Carboniferous period lasting from roughly 325 Ma to 299 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.
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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.

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Provides a picture of the world from this time period.

Information on stratigraphies, localities, tectonics, and life.

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