13 Facts About Quaternary glaciation

Quaternary glaciation, known as the Pleistocene glaciation, is an alternating series of glacial and interglacial periods during the Quaternary period that began 2.

Since planet Earth still has ice sheets, geologists consider the Quaternary glaciation to be ongoing, with the Earth now experiencing an interglacial period.

The major effects of the Quaternary glaciation have been the erosion of land and the deposition of material, both over large parts of the continents; the modification of river systems; the creation of millions of lakes, including the development of pluvial lakes far from the ice margins; changes in sea level; the isostatic adjustment of the Earth's crust; flooding; and abnormal winds.

Evidence for the quaternary glaciation was first understood in the 18th and 19th centuries as part of the scientific revolution.

Problem with the theory is that these astronomical cycles have been in existence for many millions of years, but Quaternary glaciation is a rare occurrence.

Related searches

Computer modelling shows that the uplift would have enabled Quaternary glaciation by producing increased orographic precipitation and cooling the surface temperatures.

Quaternary glaciation created more lakes than all other geologic processes combined.

Climatic conditions that cause Quaternary glaciation had an indirect effect on arid and semiarid regions far removed from the large ice sheets.

Major isostatic adjustments of the lithosphere during the Quaternary glaciation were caused by the weight of the ice, which depressed the continents.

The initial uplift following deQuaternary glaciation was rapid, and took place as the ice was being unloaded.

The total uplift from the end of deQuaternary glaciation depends on the local ice load and could be several hundred meters near the center of rebound.

Moraines and till deposited by Quaternary glaciation glaciers have contributed to the formation of valuable placer deposits of gold.

One of the best documented records of pre-Quaternary glaciation, called the Karoo Ice Age, is found in the late Paleozoic rocks in South Africa, India, South America, Antarctica, and Australia.