First, what is an ice age? It’s when the Earth has cold temperatures for a long time – millions to tens of millions of years – that lead to ice sheets and glaciers covering large areas of its surface.

Throughout Earth’s long and dynamic history, the climate has shifted dramatically. Ice ages have come and gone, shaping the planet and leaving scientists and historians alike wondering about their ...

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com. How many ice ages has the Earth had, and could ...