New Zealand’s climate has alternated between warm and cold periods over the last three million years. During warmer periods the climate was similar to that of today. During cold periods the mountains in the South Island were snow-covered, and glaciers were much more extensive.
A number of glacial and interglacial periods in the New Zealand region have been given local names. The table shows the changing pattern of glacial and interglacial periods over the last 500,000 years. They can be correlated with internationally recognised stages, based on changes in oxygen isotopes from cores in the deep sea.
Using this item
Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.
Source: GNS Science
Comments
Need dates as overview in
Mary Trayes (not verified)
10 February 2024
Add new comment