What is an interglacial period?

An interglacial period is a phase of warmer climate that occurs between two glacial periods during an ice age. During these intervals, ice sheets retreat, leading to rising sea levels and changes in ecosystems and biodiversity. Interglacial periods are characterized by milder temperatures and can last for thousands of years. The current interglacial period, known as the Holocene, began approximately 11,700 years ago.