The Neoproterozoic Era lasted from about 1,000 to 541 million years ago and is the final period of the Proterozoic Eon. This era is significant for the emergence of multicellular life and the development of complex ecosystems. It is marked by major geological events, including the formation of supercontinents like Rodinia. During the Neoproterozoic, the Earth experienced dramatic climate changes, including the Snowball Earth glaciations, where ice covered much of the planet. These conditions likely influenced the evolution of early life forms, paving the way for the Cambrian Explosion that followed, which saw a rapid increase in biodiversity.