When did the Cambrian Period begin after the Precambrian?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The Cambrian Period is generally recognized as beginning approximately 538.8 million years ago, marking the start of the Paleozoic Era and the Phanerozoic Eon.12

While some historical and geological contexts cite the transition from the Precambrian at 541 million years ago, the lower boundary of the Cambrian System is formally defined by a global stratotype section at Fortune Head, Newfoundland. This boundary is characterized by the first appearance of the fossil Trichophycus pedum, which serves as the benchmark for the beginning of the Cambrian and the Phanerozoic Eon.345