Early Triassic
3029043
213722209
2008-05-20T15:51:08Z
151.20.191.191
[[Image:Stadtroda Sandstein.jpg|thumb|200px|Sandstone from the Early Triassic epoch]]
The '''Early Triassic''' (also known as '''Lower Triassic''', '''Buntsandstein''', or '''Scythian''') is the first of three [[epoch (geology)|epoch]]s of the [[Triassic]] [[period (geology)|period]]. It spans the time between 251 ± 0.4 [[annum|Ma]] and 245 ± 1.5 Ma (million years ago). The [[Permian-Triassic extinction event]] spawned the Triassic period. It also marked the beginning of the [[Mesozoic]] [[era]] and is divided into the [[Induan]] and [[Olenekian]] [[faunal stage]]s. The massive extinctions that ended the [[Permian]] period and [[Paleozoic]] era caused extreme hardships for the surviving species. Many types of [[corals]], [[brachiopods]], [[molluscs]], [[echinoderms]], and other [[invertebrates]] had completely disappeared. The most common Early Triassic hard-shelled marine invertebrates were [[bivalves]], [[gastropods]], [[ammonoid]]s, [[Echinoidea | echinoids]], and a few articulate [[brachiopods]]. The most common land animal was a small herbivorous [[synapsid]] [[Lystrosaurus]]. Early Triassic faunas lacked biodiversity and were relatively homogenous throughout the epoch due to the effects of the extinction. The climate during the Early Triassic epoch (especially in the interior of the supercontient [[Pangaea]]) was generally arid and dry and deserts were widespread however the poles possessed a [[Temperate climate]]. The relatively hot climate of the Early Triassic may have been caused by widespread volcanic eruptions which accelerated the rate of global warming and possibly caused the Permian Triassic extinction event.
== See also ==
* [[Geologic time scale]]
== References ==
*[http://www.stratigraphy.org/geowhen/stages/Early_Triassic.html GeoWhen Database - Early Triassic]
*[http://www.palaeos.com/Mesozoic/Triassic/EarlyTrias.htm Palaeos]
*[http://www.scotese.com/etriascl.htm scotese]
{{Triassic Footer}}
[[Category:Triassic|*]]
{{geochronology-stub}}
[[ast:Triásicu Inferior]]
[[de:Buntsandstein]]
[[he:טריאס שלישי]]
[[hu:Kora triász]]
[[la:Periodus Triassica inferior]]
[[nl:Buntsandstein]]
[[pl:Trias wczesny]]
[[sh:Rani trijas]]
[[fi:Varhaistriaskausi]]
[[sv:Äldre trias]]