Theories of glaciation

Theories of glaciation explain how ice sheets and glaciers form and expand. The main idea is that climate change—such as cooler temperatures and increased snowfall—causes ice to grow, while warming climates lead to melting. Some theories highlight cycles driven by Earth's orbital variations (the Milankovitch cycles), which change how sunlight hits the planet, influencing ice ages. Others consider feedback mechanisms, like ice reflecting sunlight, cooling the Earth further. Overall, glaciation results from complex interactions between climate, Earth's orbit, and environmental feedbacks, leading to periods of extensive ice coverage known as ice ages.