During the Eocene (56 million years ago - 33.9 million years ago), the continents continued to drift toward their present positions. At the beginning of the period, Australia and Antarctica remained connected, and warm equatorial currents mixed with colder Antarctic waters, distributing the heat around the world and keeping global temperatures high. But when Australia split from the southern continent around 45 Ma, the warm equatorial currents were deflected away from Antarctica, and an isolated cold water channel developed between the two continents. The Antarctic region cooled down, and the ocean surrounding Antarctica began to freeze, sending cold water and ice floes north, reinforcing the cooling. The present pattern of ice ages began about 40 million years ago.[citation needed] COUNT 5
QSN1 During what years did the Eocene period take place? ANS1 56 million years ago - 33.9 million years ago QSN2 Australia was connected to which other continent at the start of the Eocene? ANS2 Antarctica QSN3 How long ago did Antarctica and Australia split? ANS3 around 45 Ma QSN4 Around how many years ago is the current ice age pattern believed to have begun? ANS4 40 million years QSN5 The mixing of equatorial currents with Antarctic waters in the Eocene resulted in what? ANS5 keeping global temperatures high