Pridoli Epoch

The Přídolí Epoch was an important time in Earth's history. It was the last part of the Silurian Period, which is a way scientists divide up the planet's long past. This time happened between about 422.7 million and 419.62 million years ago. After the Přídolí Epoch came another time called the Lochkovian, which is part of the Early Devonian.

The name Přídolí comes from a place near Prague in the Czech Republic. Scientists chose this name because of a special area called Homolka a Přídolí, which helps them study rocks from this time. These rocks tell us a lot about what the world was like millions of years ago.

During the early part of the Přídolí Epoch, something interesting happened to the carbon in the ocean. This change is called the Šilalė Event. It also meant that some sea creatures called conodonts began to disappear. This event helps scientists understand how life and Earth’s environment changed during this time.

Subdivisions

The Pridoli Series has not yet been divided into stages, but a group of scientists is working on splitting it into two stages. The first stage, called Jarovian, would start right at the beginning of the Pridoli. The second stage might be named Radotinian. Scientists suggest using certain fossils, like a type of graptolite called Wolynograptus bouceki, to mark the start of this stage. They are also looking at other fossils, such as a cephalopod named Kopaninoceras fluminese and a conodont named Oulodus detortus, to help confirm this boundary. A place called Hvížďalka has been suggested as a reference point for studying the Radotinian stage.