Neoproterozoic Era

The Neoproterozoic Era lasted from about 1,000 to 541 million years ago. It is the last period of the Proterozoic Eon and is significant for major geological and biological developments. During this time, the Earth experienced dramatic climate changes, including ice ages known as "Snowball Earth," where ice covered much of the planet. The era also saw the emergence of multicellular life, with the first complex organisms appearing in oceans. This period set the stage for the Cambrian Explosion, when a diverse range of life forms rapidly evolved.