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An interglacial period (or alternatively interglacial, interglaciation) is a geological interval of warmer global average temperature lasting thousands of years that separates consecutive glacial periods within an ice age. The current Holocene interglacial began at the end of the Pleistocene, about 11,700 years ago.
For a period to be considered an interglacial, it changes from Arctic through sub-Arctic to boreal to temperate conditions and back again. An interstadial reaches only the stage of boreal vegetation. [1] The MIS 1 interstadial encompasses the entirety of the present Holocene interglacial, but the Wisconsin glaciation encompasses MIS 2, 3, and 4.
A glacial period (alternatively glacial or glaciation) is an interval of time (thousands of years) within an ice age that is marked by colder temperatures and glacier advances. Interglacials, on the other hand, are periods of warmer climate between glacial periods. The Last Glacial Period ended about 15,000 years ago. [1]
During ice ages, ice sheets like the one in Greenland have covered much of Earth's surface. Thor Wegner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you ...
The Earth is currently in such an interglacial period of the Quaternary glaciation, with the Last Glacial Period of the Quaternary having ended approximately 11,700 years ago. The current interglacial is known as the Holocene epoch. [1] Based on climate proxies, paleoclimatologists study the different climate states originating from glaciation.
However, there is debate as to whether it is actually a separate epoch or merely an interglacial period within the Pleistocene epoch. [2] [3] Between 9,000 and 5,000 years ago there was a warm period called the Holocene climatic optimum. Being in an interglacial, there is less ice than there was during the last glacial period.
In contrast, the rest of the glacial period was so cold that the dominant plant in the area was a small, cold-adapted flower called Dryas octopetala. [3] Thus, the cold period which preceded this interstadial is known as the Oldest Dryas , and the two subsequent cold periods as the Older and Younger Dryas .
The long cooling interval was then followed by a relatively short warming period. During this warming period, called a termination, [3] huge Northern hemisphere ice sheets melted away; sea level rose about 120 meters (390 ft); and interglacial climate emerged across the planet in a few thousand years. In case of the termination of the last ...