late glacial

late glacial A term usually applied to the time between the first rise of the temperature curve after the last minimum of the Devensian glaciation, and the very rapid rise of temperature that marks the beginning of the post-glacial, or Flandrian period. The late Devensian extends from about 15000–10000bp and shows a characteristic threefold climatic and hence depositional sequence, from cold, older Dryas deposits, to warmer Allerød, to colder, younger Dryas. In Europe there is some evidence for an additional warmer phase, the Bølling interstadial, dating about 13000bp (i.e. during older Dryas times). Some authorities consider that this partial warming sequence may be characteristic of the late glacial times of all major glacial advances.