Mindel

Mindel is the name of the second of the four major glacial periods of the Pleistocene epoch in the traditional glacial chronology of the Alps. It is preceded by the Günz glaciation and followed by the Riss glaciation. This classification was originally developed by Albrecht Penck and Eduard Brückner based on river terrace sequences in Bavaria.

The Mindel glaciation is characterized by extensive ice sheets covering large portions of the Alps and their surrounding regions. During this period, temperatures were significantly lower than today, leading to the expansion of glaciers and ice caps. The exact dating of the Mindel glaciation has been subject to revision as dating methods have improved. Early estimates placed it in the Middle Pleistocene, but more recent research suggests a more complex picture with possible multiple glacial advances within the Mindel complex.

The term "Mindel" is also sometimes used more broadly to refer to a glacial stage that may correlate with similar glacial advances in other regions outside of the Alps, although the exact correlations are often debated. It is important to note that the traditional Alpine glacial chronology is now recognized as an oversimplified model, and more detailed records from marine sediment cores and other sources provide a more nuanced understanding of glacial-interglacial cycles during the Pleistocene. Therefore, using "Mindel" as a globally applicable term requires careful consideration and should be supported by independent evidence. The ongoing research and refinement of dating techniques continue to improve the understanding of the timing and extent of glacial periods like the Mindel.