Which epoch is recognized as the current interglacial period?

The current interglacial period is identified as the Holocene Epoch. This epoch began approximately 11,700 years ago, following the last major glaciation of the Pleistocene Epoch. During the Holocene, the climate has generally been warmer and more stable compared to the preceding glacial periods, fostering the development of human civilizations through the establishment of agriculture and permanent settlements.

The Holocene is significant because it encompasses the entire span of recorded human history and marks a distinct ecological shift as glaciers retreat and global temperatures rise. This period is characterized by relatively stable climate patterns that have allowed for biodiversity to thrive.

In contrast to the Holocene, the Pleistocene Epoch refers specifically to the time of repeated glacial cycles and significant climatic fluctuations. The Paleozoic Era, meanwhile, is much earlier in geological history, representing a time before the emergence of mammals and birds, primarily encompassing the development of early life forms in oceans. The Quaternary Period is a more comprehensive term that includes both the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs, but it is the Holocene that specifically identifies the current interglacial phase.