Pleistocene
/'pli:stousi:n/
Definition
- Proper noun:
- The Pleistocene epoch: A geological epoch within the Quaternary period, characterized by repeated cycles of extensive glaciation (ice ages) in the Northern Hemisphere and the evolution and dispersal of modern humans (Homo sapiens). It is the first epoch of the Quaternary period, following the Pliocene and preceding the Holocene.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- Fossils of mammoths are commonly found in Pleistocene deposits.
- The Pleistocene epoch saw the migration of early humans across continents.
- Scientists study ice cores to understand the climate of the Pleistocene.
Advanced Usage
"Pleistocene megafauna": Refers to the large animals (e.g., woolly mammoths, saber-toothed cats, giant ground sloths) that lived during the Pleistocene epoch and became extinct at its end or shortly after.
- The extinction of Pleistocene megafauna is a major topic of scientific debate.
"Pleistocene glaciation": Describes the cycles of advancing and retreating continental ice sheets that were a defining feature of the epoch.
- The landscape of northern Europe was shaped by Pleistocene glaciation.
Variants and Related Words
- Pleistocene-Holocene boundary: The transition marking the end of the Pleistocene and the beginning of the current Holocene epoch, approximately 11,700 years ago.
- Pre-Pleistocene: Referring to the time before the Pleistocene epoch.
Synonyms
- Ice Age (in a specific sense): Often used colloquially to refer to the glacial periods within the Pleistocene. (Note: "Ice Age" can also refer to other glacial periods in Earth's history).
- Glacial epoch: A more general term that can be synonymous with the Pleistocene, emphasizing its icy conditions.
Related Terms and Context
- Quaternary: The geological period comprising the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs.
- Holocene: The current geological epoch, following the Pleistocene.
- Glaciation: The process, condition, or result of being covered by glaciers or ice sheets.
Noun
-
from two million to 11 thousand years ago; extensive glaciation of the northern hemisphere; the time of human evolution
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