Capitanian

EtymologyName formalityFormalUsage informationCelestial bodyEarthRegional usageGlobal (ICS)Time scale(s) usedICS Time ScaleDefinitionChronological unitAgeStratigraphic unitStageTime span formalityFormalLower boundary definitionFAD of the ConodontJinogondolella postserrataLower boundary GSSP, Guadalupe Mountains, Texas, USA
31°54′33″N104°47′21″W / 31.9091°N 104.7892°W / 31.9091; -104.7892Lower GSSP ratified2001Upper boundary definitionFAD of the Conodont Clarkina postbitteri postbitteriUpper boundary GSSP, Laibin, Guangxi, China
23°41′43″N109°19′16″E / 23.6953°N 109.3211°E / 23.6953; 109.3211Upper GSSP ratified2004

In the geologic timescale, the Capitanian is an age or stage of the Permian. It is also the uppermost or latest of three subdivisions of the GuadalupianEpoch or Series. The Capitanian lasted between 264.28 and 259.857 million years ago. It was preceded by the Wordian and followed by the Wuchiapingian.

A significant mass extinction event occurred at the end of this stage, which was associated with anoxia and acidification in the oceans and possibly caused by the volcanic eruptions that produced the Emeishan Traps. This extinction event may be related to the much larger Permian–Triassic extinction event that followed about 10 million years later.