Long periods of stasis in the fossil record, followed by short periods of significant evolutionary change, are explained by which model of evolution?

a:Evolution through geographic isolation

b:Gradualism

c:Evolution by genetic drift

d:Punctuated equilibrium

These are explained by (D) punctuated equilibrium. This particular model of evolution is described as a large amount of evolutionary change that occurs in a very short 'punctuated' period of time. Unlike most evolutionary changes, which occur over thousands of years, this model describes evolutionary changes that occur suddenly after a certain event.