Ice age

What Was the Ice Age?

An ice age is a time when Earth became much colder. Big, thick ice covered many parts of the land. Huge blocks of ice, called glaciers, moved slowly and changed the shape of mountains and valleys.

Earth has had many ice ages over millions of years. The most recent one, called the Last Glacial Period, ended about 11,700 years ago. During that time, ice covered places that are now warm, like parts of North America and Europe.

How Do We Know About Ice Ages?

Smart people who study the Earth found clues hidden in rocks and ice. They saw marks on rocks that showed glaciers had moved long ago. They also looked at very old pieces of ice to learn about the air and weather from thousands of years ago. These clues helped scientists understand that Earth had many cold and warm times.

Fun Facts About Ice Ages

• Big lakes like the Great Lakes were made when glaciers melted.
• Some mountains have special shapes because glaciers carved them long ago.
• Today, we are in a warmer time, but Earth is still in an ice age because ice remains on Greenland and Antarctica.

Ice ages show how Earth’s weather can change over many thousands of years. They help us learn about our planet’s past and how it might change in the future.