Kvartäärikausi

Kvartäärikausi is the current and most recent of the three periods in the Cenozoic Era of Earth's history. It began 2.58 million years ago and continues to the present day. This period is characterized by the repeated glaciations and interglacial periods that have significantly shaped the Earth's landscapes and influenced the evolution of life. The Kvartäärikausi is further divided into two epochs: the Pleistocene and the Holocene.

The Pleistocene epoch, often referred to as the "Ice Age," lasted from 2.58 million years ago until about 11,700 years ago. During this time, large ice sheets covered significant portions of North America, Europe, and Asia. This led to dramatic changes in sea levels, climate, and the distribution of flora and fauna. Many large mammals, such as mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and giant sloths, roamed the Earth during the Pleistocene. This epoch also witnessed the emergence and evolution of early humans.

The Holocene epoch began approximately 11,700 years ago and extends to the present. It is characterized by a warmer climate and the retreat of the major ice sheets. This period has seen the rise of human civilization, agriculture, and rapid technological advancements. The Holocene has also experienced significant environmental changes, including rising sea levels and increased human impact on the planet, leading some scientists to propose a new epoch, the Anthropocene, to describe the current human-dominated era. The Kvartäärikausi as a whole is a testament to Earth's dynamic geological and climatic history and its ongoing evolution.