Pliensbachian

The Pliensbachian (also known as Charmouthian) is a stage of the Early Jurassic Epoch. It spans the time between 189.6 ± 1.5 Ma and 183 ± 1.5 Ma (million years ago).

The stage takes its name from the town of Pliensbach, some 30 km east of Stuttgart in Germany. Minerals and fossils from the region are displayed in a museum in Göppingen. The Pliensbachian ended with the extinction event called the Toarcian turnover.

In Europe this period is also known as the Middle Lias Stage.