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Aftonian Interglacial Stage
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Pleistocene Series
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Aftonian Interglacial Stage

geology
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History

Aftonian Interglacial Stage, major division of Pleistocene deposits and time (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago) in North America. The Aftonian Interglacial, a time of relatively moderate climatic conditions, followed the Nebraskan Glacial Stage and preceded the Kansan Glacial Stage, both times of widespread continental glaciation and relative cold. The Aftonian was named for deposits studied near Afton, Iowa. In some places, the Aftonian deposits consist of ancient soils that may also include peat and windblown deposits; elsewhere, the deposits consist of sand and gravel deposited by streams.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Richard Pallardy.