Quaternary

Quaternary is a period in the geologic time scale, coming after the Neogene period and is the current ongoing period. It started approximately 2.6 million years ago and continues to the present day. The Quaternary period is divided into two epochs: the Pleistocene and the Holocene.

Overview

The Quaternary period is characterized by several periods of glaciation, the so-called 'ice ages', and includes the present time where the influence of humans on the planet has become a dominant factor, the Anthropocene.

Epochs

The Quaternary is divided into two epochs: the Pleistocene (2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years ago) and the Holocene (11,700 years ago to today).

Pleistocene

The Pleistocene is characterized by the presence of large land mammals, or megafauna. This epoch experienced important climatic and geographical changes that affected terrestrial flora and fauna.

Holocene

The Holocene follows the Pleistocene. It has been a period of relatively stable climate during which all the continents were settled by humans.

Climate

The Quaternary period has seen several cycles of glaciation and warming, often referred to as 'ice ages'. These have been driven by a number of factors including the Earth's changing orbit and axial tilt.

Flora and Fauna

The Quaternary period has seen the extinctions of numerous predominantly larger, especially mammal and bird species, many of which occurred during the transition from the Pleistocene to the Holocene epoch.

Human Evolution

The Quaternary period has been a time of significant development and evolution for the human species. Humans evolved to their current anatomical form during the period and began to exhibit behavior that is considered to be characteristic of modern humans.

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