English Explanatory Dictionary

Cambrian explosion

English dictionary entry

Meanings

name
  1. The relatively rapid appearance, during the Cambrian Period around 541 million years ago, of most major animal phyla, as demonstrated in the fossil record.
noun
  1. The rapid appearance of anything.

Pronunciation

/ˈkam.bɹɪ.ən ɪkˈspləʊ.ʒən/ /ˈkæm.bɹi.ən ɛkˈsploʊ.ʒən/ en-au-Cambrian explosion.ogg

Word forms

Cambrian explosion Cambrian explosions

Etymology

Of unclear origin, inspired by George Gaylord Simpson's description of "explosive" evolution. The earliest known use is in a BSCS high school biology textbook written in 1961 under the direction of paleobotanist Wilson Steward.

Synonyms

biological big bang
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