Back to timeline
Life

Cambrian Explosion

541 million years ago

A sudden diversification of animal life — nearly all modern phyla appear.

Date source not yet attached to this catalogue record.

Show in earlier-history viewComparison uses the human-history calendar.
A deeper description of this event will be added by a historian-in-residence.
Part of the Complex Life era
Open Era
At a Glance
Date541 million years ago
ScaleLife
Importance10/10
Learn This
Historical Guide
Ask about Cambrian Explosion
Ask me anything about this event. I can summarize, contextualize, compare, or simplify — in any depth you need.
Sign in for 3 free questions daily
Epoch+
Start with three free questions a day.
Sign in with a free account to ask about dates, civilisations and what happened elsewhere.