The Lutetian is, in the geologic timescale, a stage or age in the Eocene. It spans the time between 48.07 and 41.03 Ma. The Lutetian is preceded by the Ypresian and is followed by the Bartonian. Toget
Global stratotype for the base of the Lutetian Stage
A Paleogene-aged basaltic lava flow on the Isle of Staffa, Scotland (person standing on cliff top for scale). The bottom section of this cliff is volcaniclastic rock. The middle and top sections are two parts of a single basaltic lava flow; each part of the lava flow cooled differently, forming rock with different characteristics. The middle layer shows spectacular columnar jointing resulting from relatively slow cooling; the top layer has very irregular closely-spaced joints caused by more rapid cooling.