Species `explosion' took nearly 80 million years

SCMP Education Mailbag (June 5, 2009)

I refer to the article "Creationism row hots up as objectors fight back" (Education Post, May 15). Professor Tsui is being somewhat disingenuous when he states "it is well known that in the Cambrian explosion many species appeared at the same time". What is well known from the fossil recording the "Cambrian explosion" is there was a gradual appearance of new species over an incredibly long period of time.

It is important to note the "Cambrian Explosion" took place over a period of almost 80 million years. This is longer than the Jurassic period when dinosaurs ruled the Earth or the entire Caenozoic era which saw the rise of mammals.

This is hardly the instantaneous event that he suggests, and more importantly provides excellent evidence in support of Darwinian evolution, as anyone capable of critical thinking would appreciate.

KEVIN LAW

Discovery Bay