Carnian

EtymologyName formalityFormalAlternate spelling(s)KarnianUsage informationCelestial bodyEarthRegional usageGlobal (ICS)Time scale(s) usedICS Time ScaleDefinitionChronological unitAgeStratigraphic unitStageTime span formalityFormalLower boundary definitionFAD of the AmmoniteLower boundary GSSP, Dolomites, Italy
46°31′37″N11°55′49″E / 46.5269°N 11.9303°E / 46.5269; 11.9303Lower GSSP ratified2008Upper boundary definitionNot formally definedUpper boundary definition candidatesBase of ammonoid zone and near FAD of Metapolygnathus echinatus within the M. communisti conodont zonesUpper boundary GSSP candidate section(s)

• , British Columbia, Canada
• , Sicily, Italy

The Carnian (less commonly, Karnian) is the lowermost stage of the Upper TriassicSeries (or earliest age of the Late Triassic Epoch). It lasted from 237 to 227.3 million years ago (Ma). The Carnian is preceded by the Ladinian and is followed by the Norian. Its boundaries are not characterized by major extinctions or biotic turnovers, but a climatic event (known as the Carnian pluvial episode characterized by substantial rainfall) occurred during the Carnian and seems to be associated with important extinctions or biotic radiations. Another extinction occurred at the Carnian-Norian boundary, ending the Carnian age.