The Frozen Epoch
An in-depth exploration of Earth's most recent ice age, detailing its climatic conditions, global impact, and geological evidence.
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Overview
Defining the Period
The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), also referred to as the Last Glacial Coldest Period, represents the most recent time during the Last Glacial Period when ice sheets attained their greatest extent. This period is estimated to have occurred between approximately 26,000 and 20,000 years ago.
Global Transformation
The LGM profoundly reshaped Earth's climate. It led to a significant expansion of deserts, a substantial drop in global sea levels, and altered atmospheric conditions worldwide, characterized by cooler and drier climates.
Dating the Maximum
While precise dates vary among researchers based on specific criteria and data sets, the peak glacial coverage is generally placed between 26,500 and 20,000 years ago. The growth of ice sheets in the Southern Hemisphere began earlier, around 33,000 years ago.
Glacial Climate
Temperature Decline
During the Last Glacial Maximum, approximately 21,000 years ago, the average global temperature was significantly colder than today, estimated to be around 6ยฐC (11ยฐF) lower than present-day averages.
Ice Sheet Extent
Permanent summer ice covered about 8% of Earth's surface and 25% of the land area. This extensive glaciation included vast ice sheets covering much of North America, Northern Europe, and Asia.
Sea Level Drop
The immense volume of water locked within the ice sheets caused a dramatic reduction in global sea levels. It is estimated that sea levels were approximately 125 meters (410 feet) lower than they are today.
Atmospheric Conditions
The atmosphere was characterized by increased dust levels, potentially 20 to 25 times greater than present levels, due to reduced vegetation, stronger global winds, and less precipitation to clear the air. Many regions experienced significantly drier conditions.
Global Impact
Reshaping Landscapes
The LGM's climatic shifts led to widespread desert expansion, altered vegetation patterns, and the formation of large pluvial lakes in some regions due to changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation.
Exposed Landmasses
Lowered sea levels exposed continental shelves, connecting landmasses and creating extensive coastal plains. This facilitated migrations and altered marine ecosystems.
Amplified Cooling
The presence of massive ice sheets influenced atmospheric circulation, leading to cooler oceans and increased cloud cover in certain areas, which in turn reflected more sunlight, amplifying the global cooling effect.
Africa & Middle East
Glaciation and Deserts
Smaller mountain glaciers formed in regions like the Drakensberg Mountains. The Sahara and other sandy deserts expanded significantly in extent, with rainfall potentially diminished by up to 90% in some areas like South Australia and the Sahel.
Hydrological Changes
The Persian Gulf's seabed was largely exposed due to lower sea levels, with the Tigris-Euphrates river system flowing into the Gulf of Oman. Seasonal ground freezing likely occurred in the Lesotho Highlands.
Asia
Ice Sheets and Permafrost
Ice sheets covered parts of Tibet and Baltistan, while permafrost extended as far south as Beijing. Southeast Asia experienced reduced rainforest cover, replaced by grasslands and tundra in some areas.
Sundaland and Wallacea
Due to lower sea levels, islands like Borneo and Bali were connected to the Asian continent via the landmass of Sundaland. The region between Sundaland and Sahul formed the archipelago of Wallacea.
Vegetation Shifts
Despite cold climates, East Asia largely remained unglaciated due to dry air masses. Northern China featured grassland and tundra, while the northern tree line shifted significantly southward.
Australasia
Sahul Continent
The Australian mainland, New Guinea, and Tasmania were joined as a single landmass known as Sahul. Sea levels were approximately 125 meters lower, exposing the Bonaparte Gulf region.
Arid Interior
Interior Australia experienced widespread aridity, evidenced by extensive dune activity and falling lake levels. However, some coastal areas in Queensland and southwestern Western Australia showed evidence of humid conditions or persistent rainforests.
New Zealand Glaciation
The main islands of New Zealand were joined. The Southern Alps were largely covered by permanent ice, with glaciers extending into the surrounding high country.
Europe
Ice Sheet Dominance
Northern Europe was extensively covered by ice sheets, with the southern boundary extending through Germany and Poland. This included the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet reaching its maximum extent around 17,000 years ago.
Permafrost and Refugia
Permafrost extended south of the ice sheets into Central Europe. Despite the cold, isolated pockets of relative warmth served as refugia for certain plant and animal species.
Human Population Decline
Europe experienced a significant reduction in human population during the LGM, with estimates suggesting a decline of up to 60%, likely due to the harsh climatic conditions.
North America
Laurentide and Cordilleran Ice Sheets
The Laurentide Ice Sheet covered most of Canada east of the Rockies and extended into the northern United States. The Cordilleran Ice Sheet dominated western Canada and parts of Montana.
Beringia's Climate
Eastern Beringia (modern Alaska and Yukon) was extremely cold and dry, with July temperatures 2-3ยฐC lower than today. This region served as a crucial refugium for early human populations migrating from Siberia.
Human Migration Impact
The glacial conditions and refugia influenced the genetic variation of Indigenous peoples of the Americas, shaping the older haplogroups found today.
South America
Patagonian Ice Sheet
The Patagonian Ice Sheet covered the southern third of Chile and adjacent areas of Argentina. Valley glaciers merged to form large piedmont lobes, reaching sea level as far north as the Chacao Channel.
Vegetation and Climate
Much of Patagonia experienced ice-free refugia for some plant species. Areas west of Llanquihue Lake were dominated by alpine herbs, later transitioning to Nothofagus forests as warming occurred.
Amazonian Aridity
Amazonia was significantly drier than today, with evidence from plant waxes indicating increased aridity. Eastern Brazil also experienced drier conditions.
Atlantic Ocean
Ocean Circulation
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) was weaker and shallower during the LGM. Sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic gyre were approximately 5ยฐC colder.
Water Properties
Intermediate depth waters were better ventilated by Glacial North Atlantic Intermediate Water (GNAIW), which was nutrient-poor compared to present-day North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). Deep North Atlantic waters were nutrient-rich.
Weathering Flux
Reduced continental weathering flux into the North Atlantic, measured by isotopic ratios, was a consequence of the immense ice sheets in Europe and North America.
Pacific Ocean
Sea Surface Temperatures
Low sea surface temperatures and salinity in the East China Sea suggest a reduced strength of the Kuroshio Current. Abyssal Pacific overturning was weaker than today.
ENSO and Oxygen Zones
The El Niรฑo-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) was strong during the LGM. The Peruvian Oxygen Minimum Zone was weaker than present, likely due to cooler, more oxygenated seawater.
Volcanic Influence
On Hawaii, glacial deposits indicate ice sheet formation on Mauna Kea, with the latest episodes occurring between 40,000 and 13,000 years ago.
Indian Ocean
Deep Water Oxygenation
Deep waters of the Indian Ocean were significantly less oxygenated during the LGM compared to the Middle Holocene. The deep South Indian Ocean acted as a substantial carbon sink.
Arabian Sea Ventilation
Intermediate waters in the southeastern Arabian Sea were poorly ventilated due to weakened thermohaline circulation.
Southern Ocean
Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Evidence suggests the Antarctic Circumpolar Current was weaker during the LGM compared to the Holocene. The Antarctic Polar Front shifted significantly northward.
Supervolcanic Eruption
The Oruanui eruption, approximately 25,500 years BP, may have further depressed temperatures in regions near New Zealand during the LGM.
Late Glacial Period
Transition to Holocene
The Late Glacial Period followed the Last Glacial Maximum. This transitional phase preceded the start of the Holocene epoch, which began approximately 11,700 years ago, marking the end of the last major glacial period.
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References
References
- Richard Z. Poore, Richard S. Williams, Jr., and Christopher Tracey. "Sea Level and Climate". United States Geological Survey.
- "Land and Ocean Summary". Berkeley Earth.
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Important Notice
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