ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Younger Dryas

Okay, imagine that the Earth is like a big ball that spins around and around. But sometimes, things happen that can change how the Earth works. A long time ago, right after the last Ice Age, something called the Younger Dryas happened.

It was like a big, cold snap that made the Earth colder for a while. It lasted for about 1,000 years, which is a really long time! During that time, the land was covered in ice and snow. This meant that animals that lived there before couldn't survive anymore, and had to move to new places where it was warmer.

Scientists think that the Younger Dryas happened because of changes in the Earth's climate. There was less warm air and more cold air, and this made the temperature drop really fast. It was kind of like pressing a button and suddenly everything got colder.

But eventually, things got better. The Earth warmed up again and the ice and snow melted. New animals and plants started to grow in places where they couldn't before. Life found a way to keep going, even when things got really tough during the Younger Dryas.