What theory suggests that evolution occurs in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stability?

The theory that suggests evolution occurs in rapid bursts followed by long periods of stability is known as punctuated equilibrium. This concept was proposed by paleontologists Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge in 1972. According to punctuated equilibrium, species remain relatively unchanged for long durations—these periods of stasis—interrupted by short, significant changes during which new species emerge. This contrasts with the traditional view of gradualism, which posits that evolution happens slowly and gradually over time. Punctuated equilibrium helps to explain the fossil record, which often shows sudden appearances and disappearances of species rather than gradual transitions. This theory underscores the idea that evolutionary change can be both a rapid and complex process, influenced by various environmental pressures and events that can lead to speciation.