Scientists have found a pattern in Earth’s history that suggests the next ice age could begin around 10,000 years from now. However, due to human-made climate change, this onset is likely delayed.
The study, published in Science, analyzed nearly 1 million years of climate data and discovered a connection between changes in the Earth’s orbit and glacial cycles. The researchers found that variations in the Earth’s orbit, its wobble, and axis angle influence long-term changes in climate, which triggers the beginning and ends of ice ages.
According to the Milankovitch theory, proposed over a century ago, these small changes contribute to ice age cycles. The team observed a pattern in the record of climate change and made predictions based on their findings.
The current interglacial period, known as the Holocene, began around 11,700 years ago after the last ice age ended. However, human emissions of carbon dioxide have already altered the climate’s natural course, making it less likely for the next ice age to occur within the predicted timeframe of 10,000 years.
The researchers plan to study how anthropogenic changes will impact the start of the next ice age and say this information is crucial for informing decisions about greenhouse gas emissions, which will determine future climate changes.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/28/ice-age-prediction-climate-change/80840180007