The Ordovician Period is a geological time frame that lasted from about 485 to 444 million years ago. It follows the Cambrian Period and precedes the Silurian Period. This period is known for a significant increase in biodiversity, often referred to as the "Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event," where many new species of marine life, including corals, brachiopods, and trilobites, emerged. During the Ordovician, the Earth's continents were positioned differently than today, primarily located in the southern hemisphere. The climate was generally warm, and sea levels were high, leading to extensive shallow seas. At the end of the Ordovician, a major extinction event occurred, wiping out nearly 85% of marine species.