ice age

An ice age is a prolonged period in Earth's history characterized by significant cooling of the climate, leading to the expansion of ice sheets and glaciers, particularly in polar regions and mountainous areas. These periods can last for millions of years and are marked by fluctuations between colder glacial phases and warmer interglacial phases. The most recent ice age, known as the Quaternary Ice Age, began around 2.6 million years ago and continues today. Ice ages have major impacts on global sea levels, ecosystems, and the evolution of species, including humans, influencing migration and settlement patterns.