Quaternary, in the geologic history of Earth, a unit of time within the Cenozoic Era, beginning 2,588,000 years ago and continuing to the present day.

The Quaternary covers the time span of glaciations classified as the Pleistocene, and includes the present interglacial time-period, the Holocene. This places the start of the Quaternary at the onset of …

Apr 27, 2023 · The Quaternary Period is famous for the many cycles of glacial growth and retreat, the extinction of many species of large mammals and birds, and the spread of humans.

The Quaternary sub-era (or period) is the historically designated geologic time period extending from the end of the Pliocene epoch roughly 1.8–1.6 million years ago to the present. The Quaternary is one …

Climate change and the developments it spurs carry the narrative of the Quaternary, the most recent 2.6 million years of Earth's history. Glaciers advance from the Poles and then retreat, carving...

Jul 19, 2025 · The Quaternary Period is the current chapter in Earth’s geologic history, beginning approximately 2.6 million years ago. It is the time in which recognizable human ancestors appeared …

May 12, 2025 · During the Quaternary Period, our planet started to cool down and ice accumulated on two poles. Further cooling of global climate resulted in the expansion of ice sheets of the two Polar …

The Quaternary Period is defined as the most recent geologic era spanning the last 2.6 million years, divided into the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs, characterized by significant climatic oscillations …

Dec 24, 2024 · Explore the Quaternary Period: Ice ages, climate cycles, megafauna, human impact, and the Anthropocene debate. Learn about Earth's recent past.

The Quaternary Period is a time period that started around 2.58 million years ago and continues today. [1][2] This period is divided into two epochs – the Pleistocene Epoch and the Holocene Epoch.