Burgess Shale

Around 545 to 525 million years ago, the Earth experienced an explosion of new animal species that had not been known before.  This is now known as the Cambrian Explosion.  The Burgess Shale, located in present-day British Columbia, is home to fossils that contain evidence of this Explosion.  Charles D. Walcott discovered the Burgess Shale in 1909.  The large number of fossils found were created in a unique way.  Events like mudslides froze organisms in time, allowing for a glimpse into the past.

The Burgess Shale