The Beginning of the Quaternary Period

What glacial episode marks the beginning of the Quaternary period?

A. Paleocene
B. Holocene
C. Pleistocene
D. Oligocene

Final answer:

The Pleistocene glacial episode marks the beginning of the Quaternary period, characterized by a series of ice ages and significant climate cooling.

Explanation:

The glacial episode that marks the beginning of the Quaternary period is the Pleistocene. The Quaternary Period is the current and most recent of the three periods of the Cenozoic Era, ranging from 2.588 million years ago to the present. It is during the Pleistocene epoch that Earth experienced significant cooling, resulting in a series of ice ages. Notably, the last ice age ended about 12,000 years ago, at the tail end of the Pleistocene. Thus, the correct answer to the question is C. Pleistocene.