Are we in an interglacial period?

We are in an interglacial period right now. It began at the end of the last glacial period, about 10,000 years ago. Scientists are still working to understand what causes ice ages. One important factor is the amount of light Earth receives from the Sun.

What is the counterpart of Mindel glacial period in the United States?

The Günz-Mindel Interglacial is also broadly equivalent to the Aftonian Interglacial Stage of North America.

When was the last interglacial period?

The Last Interglacial period (LIG), roughly equivalent to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e, ~129–116 thousand years ago (ka), is currently the focus of increased interest as it provides a potential test bed for warmer conditions on Earth.

How often do interglacial periods occur?

Since the middle Quaternary, glacial–interglacial cycles have had a frequency of about 100,000 years (Lisiecki and Raymo 2005).

How far south did glaciers go in Illinois?

Radiometric dating of wood and soil samples indicates that the Wisconsin glacier reached Illinois about 30,000 years ago and spread out to its maximum extent, 180 miles south of Chicago in central Illinois, about 23,000 years ago.

What is the Günz-Mindel interglacial?

The Günz-Mindel Interglacial is correlated with the Cromerian Interglacial Stage of northern Europe and the series of interglacials recognized in Britain: the Pastonian (oldest), Beestonian, and Cromerian. The Günz-Mindel Interglacial is also broadly equivalent to the Aftonian Interglacial Stage of North America.

What are glacial periods and interglacial periods?

Within ice ages, there exist periods of more severe glacial conditions and more temperate conditions, referred to as glacial periods and interglacial periods, respectively. 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.

What is the interglacial epoch?

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. Based on climate proxies, paleoclimatologists study the different climate states originating from glaciation.