cambrian period

Friendly

Explanation of "Cambrian Period"

Definition: The Cambrian Period refers to a specific time in Earth's history that lasted from about 544 million years ago to about 500 million years ago. During this time, many different types of marine (ocean) animals, especially invertebrates (animals without backbones), first appeared in large numbers.

Usage Instructions

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Context: Used mainly in discussions about geology, paleontology (the study of ancient life), and the history of Earth.

Example Sentences

1. "The Cambrian Period is famous for the sudden appearance of many complex life forms in the fossil record."
2. "Scientists study rocks from the Cambrian Period to understand how life evolved on Earth."

Advanced Usage

In more advanced discussions, you might encounter terms like "Cambrian explosion," which refers to the rapid increase in the diversity of life during the Cambrian Period.

Word Variants

• Cambrian: This can also be used as an adjective. For example, "Cambrian fossils" refers to fossils that come from this period.

Different Meanings

The term "Cambrian" itself mainly relates to this geological period. In some contexts, it might refer to the Cambrian mountains in Wales, but that is less common.

Synonyms

There are no direct synonyms for "Cambrian Period" since it is a specific term. However, you might hear related terms like: - "Geological period" - "Era" (though this is broader)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs associated with "Cambrian Period" as it is a technical term used primarily in scientific contexts.

Summary

The Cambrian Period is an important part of Earth's history, marking the time when many new forms of life emerged in the oceans.

Academic

Noun

1. from 544 million to about 500 million years ago; marine invertebrates

Synonyms

• Cambrian
• Cambrian period