GUNZ-MINDEL INTERGLACIAL STAGE

major division of Pleistocene time and deposits in the Alpine region of Europe and one of the divisions of the geological system that recognized the multiplicity of Pleistocene glaciations (the Pleistocene Epoch began about 1,600,000 years ago and ended about 10,000 years ago). The Gnz-Mindel Interglacial preceded the Mindel Glacial Stage and followed the Gnz Glacial Stage, a period of relatively moderate climatic conditions between two periods of glacial advance. The Gnz-Mindel Interglacial is correlated with the Cromerian Interglacial Stage of northern Europe and the series of interglacials recognized in Britain: the Pastonian (oldest), Beestonian, and Cromerian. The Gnz-Mindel Interglacial is also broadly equivalent to the Aftonian Interglacial Stage of North America.