Final answer:
Punctuated equilibrium is an evolutionary model suggesting species undergo long periods of stasis interrupted by rapid evolutionary changes, often triggered by significant environmental changes such as climate events or tectonic activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of punctuated equilibrium is a model in evolutionary biology which proposes that most species will experience little evolutionary change for most of their geological history, remaining in an extended state of stasis. When we observe the fossil record, we often see these long periods of little or no change interrupted by sudden bursts of rapid evolution. This pattern of evolution is characterized by static populations punctuated by rapid evolutionary change.
A situation in which punctuated equilibrium is more likely to take place is when there is a significant environmental change, such as the rapid change to a small population's environment. This could be due to various events such as climate change, a meteor impact, or the breakup of a supercontinent due to tectonic activity. Such drastic changes can trigger a rapid response in a species, leading to quick evolution and the emergence of a new species.