How Miocene Temperatures Fluctuated and Dropped Over Time

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During the Miocene Epoch, spanning from about 23 million to 5.3 million years ago, temperature patterns experienced significant shifts. Initially, global climates were warmer, fostering lush environments even in areas now considered temperate. Imagine walking through a forest in Alaska teeming with plant life that today would only thrive much closer to the equator.

As time marched on, however, cooling trends took hold. These weren’t overnight changes but gradual shifts that transformed environments and the species living within them. By the epoch’s close, ice sheets began to form in Antarctica, marking a stark contrast to the epoch’s balmy beginnings.

This cooling wasn’t just a minor blip in Earth’s history. It set the stage for the Ice Ages and significantly influenced evolutionary pathways. Species had to adapt, migrate, or face extinction. For me, understanding these temperature fluctuations isn’t just about piecing together Earth’s climatic past. It’s about appreciating the dynamic nature of our planet and the resilience of life in the face of changing climates.