The sequence consists of two alternating series. The first series (positions 1, 3, 5, 7) is squares of even numbers: 2^2=4, 4^2=16, 6^2=36, 8^2=64. The second series (positions 2, 4, 6) is squares of even numbers in descending order: 14^2=196, 12^2=144, 10^2=100. The next term is the 8th term, belonging to the second series: 8^2=64.