Ice Ages

After the ice age, humans likely did not directly recognize or attribute global warming as a concern. Instead, they would have been more focused on adapting to the changing environment and finding ways to survive in the new climatic conditions. The concept of global warming as a result of human activities is a more recent understanding.

The ice age was not caused by an asteroid impact. It was most likely due to a combination of factors such as changes in Earth's orbit and axial tilt, volcanic activity, and the release of greenhouse gases.

They often used deep caves lined with straw. In warm climates, ice was shipped year-round from high mountains that almost always had snow and ice (an example is Crater Lake in NW Oregon, where there is usually snow left in August from the preceding March).

This became much easier in industrial times when mechanical refrigeration was developed in the 19th century, but it still took very large machines. Modern refrigerator-freezers date from the 1920s.

It is difficult to determine the absolute "last" thing that was invented, as new inventions are constantly being developed. As of recent times, advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology have been key areas of innovation.

The very fact that there are ice caps in and around the Arctic means we are in an ice age.

It started 2.6 million years ago and we are now in a warm period we call an interglacial.

If the ice caps melted very quickly it could allow a lot of fresh water into the northern oceans so altering the flow of warmer water from the south. This could mean that those countries in the north will not receive the warming waters we need to stave off another glaciation.

If the ice caps melted slowly however, it could mean we would leave the ice age for a long time. The downside to that means that hot countries could become hotter and drier.

Yes, during the last ice age about 20,000 years ago, the ice sheets extended southward, covering parts of what is now Texas. This period is known as the Last Glacial Maximum.

Sea level can drop on the order of 100 meters. During the last glacial maximum, when the last ice age was in full swing and continental ice masses variously reached their greatest extents, considered to be the millennia centered about 21,000 calendar years ago, sea level reached 120 meters (~400 feet) lower than recent eustatic mean sea level, opening up nearly the same amount of formerly submerged land in habitable areas as was lost to ice cover and permafrost during the last ice age.

Scroll down to related links and look at "Last Glacial Maximum".

The Ice Age before the most recent one occurred approximately 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous and Permian periods. It was characterized by vast glaciation events that covered a significant portion of the Earth's surface.

4 Ice Age movies

Ice Age

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Ice Age 4: Continental Drift

The geological term for an ice age is a "glacial period" or "glaciation." These are times in Earth's history when ice sheets and glaciers advanced over large portions of the planet's surface, leading to colder temperatures and lower sea levels.

There have been five major ice ages in Earth's history, with the most recent one ending about 11,700 years ago. These ice ages were periods of prolonged cold temperatures and glaciation.

Periods of warmer temperatures between ice ages are called interglacial periods. These periods are characterized by higher temperatures and a reduction in ice cover compared to the colder glacials.

During the Ice Age, massive ice sheets covered vast areas of land, creating glaciers that shaped the landscape by eroding and sculpting the terrain. These ice sheets also contributed to the lowering of sea levels by locking up significant amounts of water in ice.

The most recent ice age, known as the Last Glacial Maximum, occurred approximately 20,000 years ago. Since then, the Earth has been in an interglacial period characterized by a warmer climate.

After the last ice age, known as the Pleistocene Epoch, geologists believe that the Earth warmed, causing the ice to melt and the glaciers to retreat. This led to rising sea levels and the formation of many of the landscapes and features we see today. Additionally, it triggered the end of the ice age and the beginning of the current epoch, the Holocene.

Glacial time periods are characterized by extensive ice sheets covering large portions of the Earth, leading to lower global temperatures and sea levels. Interglacial time periods are warmer intervals between glacial periods when the ice sheets retreat, resulting in higher global temperatures and sea levels. These cycles are driven by changes in Earth's orbit and axial tilt.

The Maunder Minimum, a period of low sunspot activity from 1645 to 1715, is associated with the Little Ice Age due to reduced solar energy reaching Earth's surface. This resulted in colder temperatures globally. Additionally, volcanic eruptions during that time could have contributed to the cooling by releasing ash and aerosols into the atmosphere, which reflected sunlight and further cooled the climate.

The last ice age, known as the Great Ice Age or the Pleistocene Epoch, lasted from about 2.6 million years ago to around 11,700 years ago. So, it has been approximately 11,700 years since the last ice age ended.

When the Earth comes out of an ice age, global temperatures gradually rise, causing glaciers to melt and sea levels to increase. This process can take thousands of years and lead to changes in ecosystems and weather patterns as the climate warms.

During the ice age, glaciers shaped the landscape of Eastern Europe by carving out valleys, creating moraines, and depositing large amounts of sediment. As the glaciers retreated, they left behind rich, fertile soil, which is why many parts of Eastern Europe are known for their agricultural productivity. The ice age also formed numerous lakes and rivers, which have had a significant impact on the region's geography and ecology.

During the peak of the last ice age, approximately 30% of Earth's surface was covered by glaciers. These glaciers were part of massive ice sheets that extended over North America, Europe, and Asia.

Changes in Earth's orbit and axial tilt, known as Milankovitch cycles, are responsible for triggering the repeating 100,000-year cycles of ice ages. These variations affect the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface, leading to periods of glaciation and interglacial periods.

The last ice age peaked around 20,000 years ago. This period, known as the Last Glacial Maximum, was characterized by extensive ice sheets covering large parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. The ice began to retreat around 15,000 years ago as the Earth's climate began to warm.

During the Ice Age, people likely obtained water by melting ice or snow, collecting rainwater, or finding natural sources such as rivers, lakes, and springs. They may have also used techniques like digging wells or creating primitive water-capturing structures. Adaptations and strategies for water procurement would have varied based on location, climate, and resources available to ancient populations.