Final answer:
The climate during the Miocene period (23 million to 5.3 million years ago) was generally warmer and more stable compared to the present. This was due to the absence of large ice sheets and higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The climate during the Miocene period (23 million to 5.3 million years ago) was generally warmer and more stable compared to the present. This was due to the absence of large ice sheets and higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The global average temperature during the Miocene was about 3 to 4 degrees Celsius warmer than today.
Key features of the Miocene climate included a reduced temperature gradient from the equator to the poles, allowing for a more uniform climate across the globe. There were also more extensive tropical rainforests and sea levels were higher, resulting in the expansion of marine environments and the formation of coral reefs.
The Miocene climate had significant impacts on flora and fauna. For example, many modern groups of plants and animals evolved during this period, including various grass species and the emergence of the iconic saber-toothed tigers and early hominids.