provide a reason why some scientists believe the pleistocene is over and a reaso

Question

provide a reason why some scientists believe the pleistocene is over and a reason why other scientists believe we are now in an interglacial state. Some believe, for example, that since area of pack ice and glacial ice still exist we are still in an ice age. Others, on the other hand, seeing the rapid retreat of ice and snow pack in many areas, believes that this period of glaciation has ended. So, using some other justifications, why do we see some differences in interpretation? Is there some scientific data available that can support both sides view? If so, provide it. Why hasn't this controversy been solved? What impact does this division of views have on the public policies that are enacted by state, national, and international bodies?

Explanation / Answer

The climate of earth has fluctuated quite a bit over the last 4.6 billion years of our planet's history and it can be expected that the climate will continue to change. One of the most intriguing questions in earth science is whether the periods of ice ages is over or are we living in an "interglacial," or period of time between ice ages? The geologic time period we are now living in is known as the Holocene. This epoch began about 11,000 years ago which was the end of the last glacial period and the end of the Pleistocene epoch. The Pleistocene was an epoch of cool glacial and warmer interglacial periods which began about 1.8 million years ago. Since the glacial period known as the "Wisconsin" in North America and "W

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