The Younger Dryas was a significant climatic event that occurred approximately 12,900 to 11,700 years ago during the late Pleistocene epoch. It is characterized by a sudden drop in temperatures, leading to a return to glacial conditions in parts of the Northern Hemisphere. This period interrupted the warming trend that followed the last glacial maximum and is named after the Dryas flower, which thrived in the cold climate. During the Younger Dryas, ecosystems shifted dramatically, affecting both flora and fauna. Many species, including large mammals like the woolly mammoth, faced challenges due to the colder conditions. The event is believed to have been triggered by changes in ocean currents and may have influenced human populations, as they adapted to the harsher environment.