Map Of The World During The Last Ice Age - Brilliant Maps (2024)

Last Updated: September 10, 2024 Leave a Comment

The map above titled “Colder Times” illustrates the Earth’s geography between 26,000 and 19,000 years ago years during the Last Glacial Maximum. During this period, significant portions of the Earth’s surface were covered by ice sheets, and the sea levels were about 125 meters (410 feet) lower than today, exposing more land.

The map details the extent of ice coverage, showing major ice sheets and dry land areas that are now submerged.

Here’s what the map says:

COLDER TIMES Approximately 20,000 years ago, this is what our planet looked like. The sea level was lower by 125 meters, or 410 feet, and the climate was colder and drier. But most importantly, huge ice sheets covered continents since the average temperature was 6°C lower than it is today.

From ocean currents to the fauna, flora, coastlines, and seas, everything was radically different.

Ice Sheet and Landmass Annotations:

• Beringia: The lost region of Beringia was a major migration bridge between Siberia and Alaska, allowing humans to cross what is today the Bering Strait to reach the Americas.
• Laurentide Ice Sheet: Covered a large portion of North America.
• Greenland Ice Sheet: Still present today but extended further.
• Scandinavian Ice Sheet: Covered northern Europe extensively with glaciated areas, which have disappeared today.
• Sundaland: The name given to a subcontinent that disappeared when the sea level rose. It was more than a passage for wildlife and humans to settle in the Pacific Ocean.
• Sahul: A sub-continent made up of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. The northern half of Sahul was a continuous landmass with savannah on its southern half.
• Patagonian Ice Sheet: Covered the southern tip of South America.

Regional Climate and Geological Features:

• North Atlantic Ocean: The English Channel, now filled with water, was temporarily a wide land bridge.
• Barents Ice Sheet: Covered parts of northern Europe and Asia.
• Antarctic Ice Sheet: Still present today but was much larger during the Last Glacial Maximum.
• North Pacific Ocean: The Sea of Japan was a lake with forests where conifer trees grew. Like in Europe and Asia, the Yellow Sea was almost completely dry.
• North Atlantic Ocean: Europe was partly covered by ice sheets, drastically altering the landscape.
• Indian Ocean: The Persian Gulf did not exist as we know it today. Its shallow waters were dry, and ancient riverbeds ran through it.
• Patagonian Ice Sheet: Covered southern South America extensively.
• Sundaland: During the Last Glacial Maximum, Sundaland was more than a passage for humans and wildlife to settle in the Pacific Ocean.

Some interesting comparisons between then and today

Europe During The Last Ice Age

Map created by Perrin Remonté

What caused the last Ice Age?

The last ice age, known as the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), was primarily caused by a combination of factors related to Earth’s climate system. The key drivers include:

1. Milankovitch Cycles: These cycles are variations in Earth’s orbit and tilt that affect the amount and distribution of solar energy received by the Earth. There are three main types of Milankovitch cycles:
   • Eccentricity: Changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit around the sun, which occur on cycles of about 100,000 years.
   • Obliquity: Changes in the tilt of Earth’s axis, which occur on cycles of about 41,000 years.
   • Precession: Wobble in Earth’s rotation axis, which occurs on cycles of about 23,000 years. During the last ice age, these cycles aligned in a way that reduced the amount of solar energy reaching the Northern Hemisphere during summer, allowing ice sheets to grow.
2. Albedo Effect: As ice sheets expand, they increase the Earth’s albedo (reflectivity), reflecting more solar radiation back into space. This cooling effect allows ice sheets to grow further, creating a feedback loop that amplifies the cooling.
3. Greenhouse Gas Concentrations: Lower levels of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), in the atmosphere contributed to the cooling. Ice cores from Antarctica show that CO2 levels were much lower during glacial periods compared to interglacial periods.
4. Ocean Circulation: Changes in ocean circulation patterns can impact global climate. For example, the slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) during glacial periods can lead to cooler temperatures in the North Atlantic region.
5. Volcanic Activity: Increased volcanic activity can inject large amounts of aerosols into the atmosphere, which can reflect sunlight and cool the Earth’s surface. Prolonged periods of high volcanic activity could have contributed to the cooling.
6. Ice Sheet Dynamics: The growth and dynamics of ice sheets themselves play a role. As ice sheets grow, they influence atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns, further promoting cooling and ice sheet expansion.

How did humans survive the last Ice Age?

Humans survived the ice age through a combination of adaptation, migration, innovation, and social cooperation. Here are some of the key strategies that helped early humans endure the harsh conditions:

1. Migration: Early humans migrated to more hospitable regions to escape the extreme cold. They moved to areas with milder climates, such as those near the equator, or sought out microclimates that provided better living conditions. The migration across land bridges, such as Beringia between Siberia and Alaska, allowed humans to spread to new continents.
2. Shelter: Constructing shelters to protect against the cold was crucial. Early humans built various types of shelters, including caves, huts made from animal bones and hides, and structures built from wood and other available materials. These shelters provided insulation and protection from the elements.
3. Clothing: The development of clothing made from animal skins and furs was essential for survival. These garments provided insulation against the cold and allowed humans to maintain body heat in freezing temperatures.
4. Fire: Mastery of fire was a critical survival tool. Fire provided warmth, allowed for cooking food (which made it more digestible and provided more calories), and offered protection from predators. It also served as a social focal point for groups of humans.
5. Hunting and Gathering: Humans adapted their diets to the available resources. They hunted large Ice Age animals (megafauna) such as mammoths, mastodons, and reindeer, and gathered edible plants, nuts, and berries. The development of sophisticated hunting tools and strategies, such as spear-throwers and cooperative hunting techniques, improved their efficiency.
6. Social Cooperation: Strong social bonds and cooperation within groups were vital. Humans formed tightly-knit communities that worked together to share resources, provide mutual support, and care for the young and elderly. Social structures and cultural practices helped maintain group cohesion and improve survival chances.
7. Innovation: Humans continually developed new tools and technologies to adapt to changing conditions. Innovations such as better hunting weapons, storage techniques for preserving food, and advancements in clothing and shelter construction were essential for coping with the Ice Age environment.
8. Dietary Flexibility: Humans were able to adapt their diets based on availability. When large game was scarce, they relied more on smaller animals, fish, and plant-based foods. This dietary flexibility helped them survive periods of scarcity.
9. Symbolic and Cognitive Development: The development of language, art, and other forms of symbolic thinking may have played a role in social cohesion and the transmission of knowledge. This cognitive development allowed for better planning, communication, and cultural continuity.

When will the next Ice Age happen?

Predicting the exact timing of the next ice age is complex and involves understanding various factors that influence Earth’s climate. Several key points should be considered:

1. Milankovitch Cycles: These are long-term variations in the Earth’s orbit and tilt, which affect the distribution and intensity of sunlight received by the Earth. According to these cycles, the Earth could enter another glacial period in the next 20,000 to 50,000 years.
2. Human Activity: Human-induced climate change, primarily due to greenhouse gas emissions, is significantly altering the Earth’s climate. This warming effect might delay the onset of the next ice age. Some studies suggest that the increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could prevent the Earth from entering a new glacial period for tens of thousands of years or even longer.
3. Scientific Uncertainty: While models and historical data provide insights, there is still a level of uncertainty in predicting long-term climate changes. The interaction of natural cycles and human influences creates a complex system that is challenging to forecast accurately over such long timescales.

In summary, while natural cycles suggest the Earth could enter another glacial period within the next 20,000 to 50,000 years, human-induced climate change is likely to delay this process significantly.