The last glacial period, often referred to as "the last ice age," was a time of significant climate change characterized by extreme cold and vast ice sheets covering much of the Northern Hemisphere. This glacial period lasted approximately 110,000 years before giving way to the current interglacial period known as the Holocene epoch, which began around 11,700 years ago. These alternating periods of glacial and interglacial climates have been influenced by changes in Earth's axial tilt and orbit around the sun.
Throughout Earth's history, the climate has alternated between periods of extreme heat and freezing cold. The last glacial period was a time when large ice sheets dominated the Northern Hemisphere. These immense glaciers sculpted the landscape and created conditions that supported a diverse range of megafauna, including woolly mammoths, giant ground sloths, and saber-toothed cats, many of which are now extinct.
Interglacial periods, such as the current Holocene epoch, are characterized by the retreat or complete disappearance of these massive ice sheets. During these warmer intervals, the climate becomes more conducive to human civilization and biodiversity flourishes. The Holocene has been marked by stable climates that have allowed human societies to develop and thrive.
The cause behind these alternating climate periods lies in the natural variations in Earth's axial tilt and its orbit around the sun. These changes influence the distribution of solar energy received by the planet, leading to shifts between glacial and interglacial phases. The last ice age serves as a reminder of the planet's dynamic climate system and its capacity for significant transformation over geological timescales.
