Worms from the Rocks - Burgess Shale Fossils and the Cambrian Explosion

Explore the Cambrian Explosion and its significance through a captivating presentation by Dr. Karma Nanglu from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Delve into the world-renowned Burgess Shale fossil site in the Canadian Rockies, which offers unparalleled insights into the origins of animal life over half a billion years ago. Discover how recent studies of Burgess Shale fossils have illuminated the mysterious early evolution of hemichordates, a group of marine worms with a historically poor fossil record. Uncover surprising combinations of morphological and ecological characteristics in these ancient animals, revealing unexpected connections to their modern relatives. Gain a deeper understanding of one of the most important biological events in Earth's history and its impact on the animal tree of life.