SciencePrehistoric (c. 12,900–11,700 years ago)global, most pronounced in North Atlantic regionhigh confidence
The Younger Dryas period lasted approximately 1,300 years and consisted of freezing temperatures.
Notes on verification
Corroborated by Britannica, a peer-reviewed PNAS paper, and UCAR, all citing the ~1,300-year duration and cold conditions, though a few marine-record studies suggest slightly shorter durations.
