Pleistocene
The Pleistocene epoch is part of the geologic system of classifying geologic formations. It is part of the Neogene period. The Pleistocene is preceded by the Pliocene epoch and followed by the Holocene epoch.
Under the dates assigned by uniformitarian geologists, it represents approximately the period of Earth's history from 1.8 million years ago to around 10,000 years ago.[1][2]
Biblical geologists reject the uniformitarian assumptions behind the dates derived by secular geologists, so they reject these dates (see geologic system). Biblical geologists generally consider Pleistocene deposits to be post-flood deposits.[3]
It is during this period that modern man is theorized to have evolved. The Pleistocene is also believed by secular geologists to have experienced frequent glaciations. Biblical geologists put the Ice Age in Pleistocene sediments.
Many large animals went extinct at the time of deposition of the later Pleistocene sediments, including sabre toothed tigers and woolly mammoths. Secular geologists believe that the Pleistocene ice age is still ongoing and that we are merely in an interglacial period, although global warming may result in a superinterglacial. According to this idea, global warming will delay or prevent us from going into another ice age.
Pleistocene extinctions
Flora and Fauna found in Pleistocene sediments are very similar to those found today. Many of the same species of mollusks, birds, mammals, and insects still exist. However, Pleistocene sediments also contain many large mammals which are now extinct. These include giant sloths, woolly mammoths, and sabre toothed cats. Horses and camels once galloped across the North American plains and giant birds with 25 foot wingspans stalked prey. Scientists state that these extinctions may have been caused by a combination of changing climate, disease, and overhunting by humans.
Bibliography
- Anon., The Pleistocene University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP).
- Batten, Don., et. al., How did animals get from the Ark to places such as Australia? Chapter 17, Creation Answers Book, Creation Ministries International, 2007.</ref>
- Gradstein, F.M., and Ogg, J.G.,Geologic Time Scale 2004 – Why, How, and Where Next!
