koorekambium

Koorekambium, also known as the Koorekambian, is a geological period that lasted from approximately 485.4 million to 488.3 million years ago. It is the earliest period of the Ordovician System and the Paleozoic Era. The name "Koorekambium" is derived from the Koorekambie Formation in New South Wales, Australia, which is a key reference point for this period.

The Koorekambian is characterized by a significant rise in sea levels, which led to the formation of extensive shallow seas that covered much of the Earth's surface. This period saw the development of diverse marine life, including the first appearance of many modern phyla. The fossil record from this time includes a variety of trilobites, brachiopods, and other invertebrates.

The climate during the Koorekambian was generally warm and humid, with high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This contributed to the widespread deposition of carbonate rocks, such as limestones and dolomites, which are common in formations from this period.

The end of the Koorekambian was marked by a major extinction event, known as the Lau Event, which occurred around 485.4 million years ago. This event is thought to have been caused by a combination of factors, including volcanic activity, climate change, and changes in ocean chemistry. Despite this event, the Ordovician System as a whole was a time of significant biological diversity and evolution.