Epoch Mio

Miocene

23.0400 – 5.3330 Ma

The Miocene is the first geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about 23 to 5 million years ago (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell and comes from Ancient Greek μείων (meíōn), lit. 'less', and καινός (kainós), lit. 'new' or 'recent', and thus means "less recent", because it has 18% fewer modern marine invertebrates than the Pliocene has. The Miocene followed the Oligocene and preceded the Pliocene.

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Miocene
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© Scotese, Christopher R.; Vérard, Christian; Burgener, Landon; Elling, Reece P.; Kocsis, Ádám T. · CC BY 4.0
Miocene
Miocene
News 5
Remarkable Miocene Flowers Preserved in Amber Reveal an Ancient Rainforest
Miocene flowers preserved in amber are providing scientists with a remarkable glimpse into a tropical rainforest that flourished around 15 million years ago. The tiny flowers come from the famous Zhangpu flora of Fujian Province in south-east China. Researchers from China and Europe examined two exceptionally well-preserved fossil flowers. Their study demonstrates that climbing plants,
11/09/2026 everythingdinosaur
This 23-foot crocodylian may have ruled South America’s food chain
Miocene South America was packed with giant prey—and the predators hunting them were just as spectacular. Fossil bite marks suggest crocodylians, especially the enormous Purussaurus neivensis, were more important predators than mammals in this ancient tropical ecosystem. At around seven meters long, Purussaurus may even have helped control populations of giant herbivores.
19/08/2026 sciencedaily-paleo
Early Miocene Fossil Rewrites Family Tree of Little Carnivorous Marsupials
Early Miocene Fossil Rewrites Family Tree of Little Carnivorous Marsupials
Paleontologists at the University of New South Wales have described a new genus and species of dasyurid marsupial from the Early Miocene of Australia, offering the first solid evidence that the family Dasyuridae -- which today includes quolls, Tasmanian devils and tiny antechinuses -- existed long before scientists had proof of it in the fossil record. The post Early Miocene Fossil Rewrites Family Tree of Little Carnivorous Marsupials appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
24/07/2026 sci-news
New Marsupial Lineage Emerges from Australian Fossils
New Marsupial Lineage Emerges from Australian Fossils
Paleontologists have described a new genus and three new species of small, insect-eating marsupials from the Early Miocene deposits of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in northwestern Queensland, one of Australia’s richest fossil sites. The post New Marsupial Lineage Emerges from Australian Fossils appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
15/06/2026 sci-news
Paleontologists Identify New Hyaenodont Species in Pakistan
Paleontologists Identify New Hyaenodont Species in Pakistan
Paleontologists have recovered the fossilized remains of three hyaenodont species, including one previously unknown to science, from Miocene sediments in Pakistan. The post Paleontologists Identify New Hyaenodont Species in Pakistan appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
29/05/2026 sci-news
Parent interval
Neogene Period
Sub-intervals 6
Aquitanian
23.0400 – 20.4500
Burdigalian
20.4500 – 15.9800
Langhian
15.9800 – 13.8200
Serravallian
13.8200 – 11.6300
Tortonian
11.6300 – 7.2460
Messinian
7.2460 – 5.3330