The
Carnian (less commonly,
Karnian) is the lowermost
stage of the Upper
Triassic series (or earliest
age of the Late Triassic
epoch). It lasted from about 235 to about 228
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 Event) occurred during the Carnian and seems to be associated with important extinctions or biotic radiations.