Past Cold Environments (AQA A Level Geography) : Revision Note

Jacque Cartwright

Written by: Jacque Cartwright

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Updated on

Pleistocene Glaciation

  • There were several periods (11 in total) of glaciation during the Pleistocene epoch

  • These 'ice ages' roughly cover the period between 2.6 million and 11,700 years BP (before present)

  • During this time, there were patterns of alternating interglacial (warm) and glacial (cold) periods

    • Glacial periods saw glacial advance/expansion and sea levels dropped

    • Interglacial saw glacial retreat/contraction and sea level rise

  • The last glacial maximum was about 21,000 years ago and cold environments covered over 30% of the Earth's surface

  • At this point the Earth's average temperature was 6°C (average now is 14-15°C)

  • The climate was drier, because most of the water on Earth's surface was ice, resulting in less precipitation

  • Sea levels dropped, and shorelines extended farther out, creating more land (water was trapped in ice sheets)

  • The polar ice sheets covered much of the UK and most of southern Europe was periglacial

  • Currently, the Earth is in an interglacial period with glaciers retreating

extent-of-global-ice-during-pleistocene-epoch
Extent of global ice during Pleistocene epoch
uk-glaciated-landscape

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Jacque Cartwright

Author: Jacque Cartwright

Expertise: Geography Content Creator

Jacque graduated from the Open University with a BSc in Environmental Science and Geography before doing her PGCE with the University of St David’s, Swansea. Teaching is her passion and has taught across a wide range of specifications – GCSE/IGCSE and IB but particularly loves teaching the A-level Geography. For the past 5 years Jacque has been teaching online for international schools, and she knows what is needed to get the top scores on those pesky geography exams.

Bridgette Barrett

Reviewer: Bridgette Barrett

Expertise: Geography Lead

After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.

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