The Middle Miocene is a sub-epoch of the Miocene Epoch made up of two stages: the Langhian and Serravallian stages. The Middle Miocene is preceded by the Early Miocene.
The sub-epoch lasted from 15.97 ± 0.05 Ma to 11.608 ± 0.005 Ma (million years ago). During this period, a sharp drop in global temperatures took place. This event is known as the Middle Miocene Climate Transition.
For the purposes of establishing European Land Mammal Ages this sub-epoch is equivalent to the Astaracian age.
Famous quotes containing the word middle:
“Angry men and furious machines
Swarm from the little blue of the horizon
To the great blue of the middle height.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)