Final answer:
The Pliocene is the geologic epoch that follows the Miocene, characterized by cooler climate, evolution of bipedal hominins, and significant geological formations like the Isthmus of Panama.
Step-by-step explanation:
The geologic epoch that comes after the Miocene is called the Pliocene. The Pliocene epoch extended from 5 million years ago (MYA) to 1.8 MYA. During the Pliocene, significant evolutionary advancements took place, especially among hominins. These early ancestors of humans were clearly bipedal and exhibited primitive cultural behaviors. The Pliocene climate was cooler than that of the Miocene, leading to changes in sea levels and an increase in ice accumulation at the poles.
This, in turn, allowed for geologic shifts like the formation of the Isthmus of Panama and the land bridge across the Bering Strait. The connection between North and South America and the opening between Alaska and Siberia were milestones that had a profound impact on the migration and evolution of species including hominins.
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