Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Cambrian Explosion refers to a period around 541 million years ago when there was a rapid diversification of multicellular organisms in the fossil record.
The fossil record is the collection of all known fossils, providing us with valuable information about past life forms.
Burgess Shale: Burgess Shale is a famous fossil site in Canada that contains exceptionally preserved fossils from the Cambrian period, giving scientists detailed insights into ancient organisms.
Evolutionary radiation: Evolutionary radiation refers to the rapid diversification and expansion of species into new ecological niches, as seen during the Cambrian Explosion.