How Do You Spell CARNIAN?

Pronunciation: [kˈɑːni͡ən] (IPA)

Carnian is a geological period in the Mesozoic era, spanning from about 228 to 216 million years ago. The spelling of the word is derived from the name of the Carnic Alps in Austria and Italy. The IPA phonetic transcription of "carnian" is /ˈkɑːnɪən/, with the stress on the first syllable, "kar". The "a" is pronounced as in "car", and the final syllable "-nian" is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by a schwa, making it sound like "ee-ən".

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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CARNIAN Meaning and Definition

  1. Carnian refers to a geologic age within the Late Triassic period, lasting from around 237 to 227 million years ago. It is named after the Carnic Alps in southeastern Europe, where the defining rocks from this age were initially studied. This time period is part of the Mesozoic Era, preceding the Norian age and succeeding the Ladinian age.

    The Carnian is marked by various geological events and biological developments. On a global scale, it represents a time of significant changes and transitions, particularly in the Earth's climate and the evolution of life. It is characterized by increasing aridity, leading to the emergence of arid and semi-arid environments, and the expansion of deserts.

    The Carnian witnessed the diversification and evolution of numerous organisms. In terms of flora, seed plants became more abundant, while reptiles continued to thrive and evolve. It was during this period that the first true dinosaurs appeared, coexisting with other reptilian groups. Several important vertebrate index fossils, such as ammonoids, conodonts, and bivalves, also mark the Carnian age.

    Geologically, the Carnian is marked by distinctive rock formations and stratigraphic sequences, rich in sedimentary deposits. These rocks often have unique characteristics that help geologists identify and correlate them across different regions. They provide valuable insights into the paleoenvironmental conditions and the Earth's geological history during the Carnian stage.

Etymology of CARNIAN

The word "Carnian" is derived from the Latin term "Carnium", which refers to the Carnic Alps, a mountain range located in present-day Austria and Italy. This region is significant in relation to the Carnian stage, which is a division of geological time in the Late Triassic period. The name "Carnium" likely originates from the Celtic word "karanos", meaning "stone" or "rock", which is related to the Latin "carnus", meaning "rock face". The name was first introduced by the Austrian geologist Edmund Mojsisovics von Mojsvar in 1869.