Large, continental ice-sheets in the Northern Hemisphere have grown and retreated many times in the past. Periods of time where glaciers have been able to advance and cover more of the continent, due to cooler temperatures, are called glacial periods. Times where glaciers have retreated due to warmer periods are called interglacials. We are currently in an interglacial period, known as 'The Holocene'.
However, 18,000 years ago, glacial ice covered about 30% of the land in the world (Figure 3.) - this period is commonly known as the Last Glacial Maximum - The Ice Age. During this Ice Age the temperature remained below 0°C which allowed the ice to remain on the land all year and advance. In Britain, ice covered land as far as the Bristol Channel.
The advance and retreat of these glaciers formed many of the landscapes we see in Britain today.
However, 18,000 years ago, glacial ice covered about 30% of the land in the world (Figure 3.) - this period is commonly known as the Last Glacial Maximum - The Ice Age. During this Ice Age the temperature remained below 0°C which allowed the ice to remain on the land all year and advance. In Britain, ice covered land as far as the Bristol Channel.
The advance and retreat of these glaciers formed many of the landscapes we see in Britain today.