The rapid appearance of animals in the fossil record occurred during the Ediacaran radiation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rapid appearance of animals in the fossil record is known as the Cambrian explosion, not the Ediacaran radiation. The Ediacaran period predates the Cambrian and is known for the appearance of the earliest large, complex multicellular organisms, but the Cambrian explosion is specifically noted for the rapid diversification of life forms and the appearance of most major groups of animals.

The Rapid Appearance of Animals in the Fossil Record Occurred