Pliocene

The Pliocene epoch (a.k.a. formerly Pleiocene) is the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5.3 million to 1.8 million years before present.

Pliocene climate

Climates became cooler and drier, and seasonal, similar to modern climates. Antarctica became ice-bound, entirely covered with year-round glaciation, near or before the start of the Pliocene. The formation of an Arctic ice cap ca 3 mya is signalled by an abrupt shift in oxygen isotope ratios and ice-rafted cobbles in the North Atlantic and North Pacific ocean beds (Van Andel 1994 p 226). Mid-latitude glaciations were probably underway before the end of the epoch.

Related Topics:
Antarctica - Glaciations

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