Miocene Epoch

Brief Overview of the Miocene Epoch

Eon: Phanerozoic

Era: Cenozoic

Period: Neogene

Followed by: Pliocene Epoch

Preceded by: Oligocene Epoch

Formation: Choptank

Range: In the Mid-Atlantic region, the Miocene Epoch is exposed primarily along the western side of the Chesapeake Bay in exposures of the Calvert Cliffs.

Fossil Types: Marine vertebrate remains such as a wide variety of shark teeth and whale bones are found.  Marine invertebrates such as abundant mollusks (Chesapecten, Ecphora, Astrhelia corals, etc.) are found in the Choptank Formation at the base of the cliffs.

Description:  The climate of the Miocene Epoch was much warmer than the Mid-Atlantic climate today as evidenced by the large amounts of extinct coral fossils found.  Giant sharks such as Megalodons swam the marine environment as well as giant whales.  Mollusks especially are abundant in the Choptank Formation.