interglaciation

An interglacial is a warm period that occurs between glacial epochs, which are cold periods within an ice age. The Earth's climate has alternated between glacial and interglacial cycles for over two million years, a period known as the Pleistocene Epoch. The most recent glacial period, or ice age, ended about 11,700 years ago, marking the beginning of the current interglacial period, the Holocene Epoch. These cycles are primarily driven by variations in Earth's orbit and axial tilt, which affect the distribution of solar radiation. During interglacial periods, ice sheets and glaciers retreat significantly, and global temperatures are warmer compared to glacial stages.12345