Danian

Formerly part ofTertiaryPeriod/SystemEtymologyName formalityFormalUsage informationCelestial bodyEarthRegional usageGlobal (ICS)Time scale(s) usedICS Time ScaleDefinitionChronological unitAgeStratigraphic unitStageTime span formalityFormalLower boundary definitionIridium enriched layer associated with a major meteorite impact and subsequent K–Pg extinction eventLower boundary GSSPEl Kef Section, El Kef, Tunisia
36°09′13″N8°38′55″E / 36.1537°N 8.6486°E / 36.1537; 8.6486Lower GSSP ratified1991Upper boundary definitionOnset of sea-level drop and carbon isotope shiftUpper boundary GSSPZumaia Section, Basque Country, Spain
43°17′57″N2°15′40″W / 43.2992°N 2.2610°W / 43.2992; -2.2610Upper GSSP ratified2008

The Danian is the oldest age or lowest stage of the Paleocene Epoch or Series, of the Paleogene Period or System, and of the Cenozoic Era or Erathem. The beginning of the Danian (and the end of the preceding Maastrichtian) is at the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event66 Ma. The age ended 61.66 Ma, being followed by the Selandian.