Our current epoch, the Holocene, began about 11,700 years ago, following the Pleistocene, which began about 2.6 million years ago. Together they form the Quaternary period, marked by major glacial-interglacial swings. During the Eemian, about 129,000–116,000 years ago, temperatures were above the preindustrial baseline and sea level stood roughly 6–9 metres (20–30 feet) above present.
Pleistocene began 2.6 million years ago; Holocene started about 11,700 years ago

Key facts
- The Holocene epoch began approximately 11,700 years ago
- The Pleistocene epoch began approximately 2.6 million years ago
- The Pleistocene and Holocene together make up the Quaternary period
- The Pleistocene included repeated glacial and interglacial stages
- Marine isotope stage 5e, the Eemian, occurred about 129,000–116,000 years ago, with sea level roughly 6–9 metres (20–30 feet) above present
- The Last Glacial Maximum contained more than twice as much land ice as today
- Some glacial-interglacial transitions have unfolded within a generation, with very rapid regional temperature shifts
Sources
Holocene | Perissodactylresearch.amnh.org
Holocene Epoch (11,700 years ago – present day) We are currently living in the Holocene epoch. The Holocene is a brief flash of time compared to previous epochs
Holocene Epoch Timelinepreceden.com
The Holocene began around 11,700 years ago (c. 9700 BCE), following the end of the Pleistocene Epoch and the last glacial period. It is the only geological ...
Holoceneen.wikipedia.org
The Holocene is the current geological epoch, beginning approximately 11,700 years ago. It follows the Last Glacial Period, which concluded with the ...
Holocene - Dinopedia - Fandomdinopedia.fandom.com
Holocene started some 11,700 years ago when the glaciers began to retreat. the start date of which is proposed to be 1950. The first year of this calendar ...
the Holocene Epochpbs.org
The Holocene begins immediately following the last major glacial epoch, 11,000 years ago. begins about 650 years ago (A.D. 1350) and lasts only about 550 years.
Holoceneplanetearth.utsc.utoronto.ca
The Holocene refers to the past 11,700 years of geological time. It encompasses the period following the deglaciation of continental-scale ice sheets in the ...
Holocene - an overviewsciencedirect.com
The Holocene is defined as the most recent interval of Earth history, beginning approximately 11,700 years ago and continuing to the present day.
The Holocene Epochucmp.berkeley.edu
The Holocene is the name given to the last 11,700 years* of the Earth's history — the time since the end of the last major glacial epoch, or "ice age.
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