The Last Ice Age

The Last Ice Age, known as the Last Glacial Maximum, occurred about 20,000 years ago when large parts of North America, Europe, and Asia were covered by extensive ice sheets. Global temperatures were cooler, causing ice to advance and reshape the landscape. Sea levels were lower because much water was stored in ice. This period significantly influenced Earth's climate, ecosystems, and the distribution of plants and animals. The ice sheets gradually melted over thousands of years, leading to the current interglacial period, the Holocene, which has supported the development of human civilization.