Geological mnemonics 

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It can be difficult to remember the order of the various geological periods and epochs. Here are some mnemonics you may find useful.

Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Periods
(Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous)

  1. Cambridge Ordinand Silently Develops Carbuncles at Permanent Trial by Jury for Creationists

    (or, if you want to make a meal of it:)

  2. Campari, hOrs d'oeuvres, I Silently Devour Carbonara ... Permit me to Try-a Juicy Crustacean!

Cenozoic epochs
(Palaeocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, Pleiocene, Pleistocene, Holocene)

Pal-Eont-Ologists Myopically Ply Plastic Hoes.

For an exhaustive list of geological and paleontological mnemonics, including the above, see the Geological Society's Mnemomania web page.

Last revised February 2006