The Ice Age was a period when the Earth experienced extreme cold, with sudden drops in global temperatures causing extensive glaciation. Throughout Earth’s history, there have been three major ice ages: the Cryogenian (Precambrian), the Carboniferous-Permian, and the Quaternary.
The Cryogenian Ice Age occurred approximately 700 to 950 million years ago, during which large areas of the Earth were covered in thick ice, with ice sheets reaching hundreds to even thousands of meters in thickness. This glaciation extended from Siberia to Northern China and into the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
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| Throughout Earth’s history, there have been three major ice ages: the Cryogenian (Precambrian), the Carboniferous-Permian, and the Quaternary (Image: potomacriver) |
From Northwest Europe to Africa, and from North America to Southern Australia, virtually every region was blanketed in snow and towering icebergs.
The Carboniferous-Permian Ice Age occurred over 200 million years ago, primarily impacting Australia, South America, and parts of Africa in the Southern Hemisphere. Some remnants of this ancient glaciation can still be found in areas of South America and Africa.
The Quaternary Ice Age is the most recent, beginning around 2 million years ago. This period was characterized by more complex climatic patterns, with prolonged cold phases interspersed with warmer interglacial periods. According to geological studies, this era included four major glacial periods and three interglacial periods. During the glacial phases, extensive glaciers were active in the high-altitude regions of equatorial Africa. The Yangtze River Basin and the southwestern mountains of China also experienced glacial activity. Following each glaciation, the Earth warmed, leading to the gradual retreat of glaciers northward. Vegetation in mid-latitude regions began to flourish again, and wildlife rebounded.
Glaciers are products of ice ages and come in two forms: continental glaciers and mountain glaciers. The glaciers found in Antarctica and Greenland are examples of continental glaciers, while mountain glaciers are less commonly encountered. Today, high-altitude areas at high latitudes still host active glaciers from the Quaternary Ice Age. With their immense power, glaciers have shaped unique landscapes characterized by glacial geomorphology. Mountain glacial landforms exhibit sharp peaks, serrated edges, and rounded features…
