The Earth enjoys a warm but stormy interglacial span (the Eemian period)

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CONTENTS of 59,999,999 BC- 51,000 BC Large land and aquatic mammals appear; many kinds of primates appear (almost as many go extinct); an island continent finally disappears for good; the Mediterranean valley turns into the Mediterranean Sea; human beings emerge, develop housing, clothes, lamps, and drugs, breed dogs, use horses; Mars dies (or goes dormant)

This page last updated on or about 10-31-05
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Approximately 128,000 BC - 108,000 BC: The Earth enjoys a warm but stormy interglacial span (the Eemian period)

The Eemian period possesses two phases: the first 12,000 years are relative stable and cozy in terms of climate and temperature while the remainder retains much warmth even as the north american ice sheets gradually grow larger again, presaging the later decline back to much colder temperatures. The second phase may well have been marked by monstrous storms, due to its unusual conditions.

Thus, North America may be suffering terrific storms during the period between 116,000 BC and 108,000 BC. Note that in many cases (especially towards the end of this period, and/or in the more northern regions), these storms are horrific blizzards, laying down snow to form the advancing glaciers of the new Ice Age.

-- "In Ancient Ice Ages, Clues to Climate" By WILLIAM K. STEVENS, 2-16-99, The New York Times
The last major break between Ice Ages was somewhere around 128,000 BC- 114,000 BC, lasting for roughly 14,000-20,000 years, depending on how you define the conditions (up to twice as long as the current period circa 2000 AD so far). Ice Ages can also begin and end pretty abruptly, and with perhaps little warning.
-- Essay: Climate Future Told Through Mud ["http://www.discovery.com/news/briefs/20000214/weather_interglacial.html"] By Larry O'Hanlon, Discovery.com News, February 15, 2000
The current interglacial period (circa 2000 AD) is apparently no more stable than any before it. The last major interglacial was between 128,000 BC and 114,000 BC. Ice Ages apparently may begin or end quickly. The current heating of the world by mankind however is a new wild card in the mix. If the planet's natural Ice Age cycle isn't much affected by human works, and the present interglacial continues for another 10,000 years, the Earth could get very hot indeed. On the other hand, if mankind can hurry the next Ice Age along, or its natural schedule is simply faster than we expect, then our extra heat production might help postpone the glaciers while keeping planetary temperatures about the same as they were over the past thousand years.

-- Essay: Climate Future Told Through Mud ["http://www.discovery.com/news/briefs/20000214/weather_interglacial.html"] By Larry O'Hanlon, Discovery.com News, February 14, 2000

Note that global sea levels now are likely near the same as circa 1999 AD (or slightly higher), thereby insuring that land links such as the Bering landbridge (and many islands) are submerged. The greater southeast asian peninsula is also in large part underwater, presenting something a bit smaller than its circa 1999 AD incarnation to surface observation.

East China, circa 124,000 BC

Around 124,000 BC human beings are apparently living in an area which millennia from now will be known as Zhejiang Province in east China. These people are using a variety of stoneware, including tools for smashing and cutting, hatchets, and stone balls.

-- Archeological Breakthrough Made in Zhejiang Province ["http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200211/24/eng20021124_107366.shtml"]; People's Daily Online; http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

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