Ep 10. Cracking the Ice Age

In this episode of NOVA, titled "Cracking the Ice Age," viewers are taken on a journey to explore the mysteries surrounding the last ice age. Scientists have long been studying the earth's frozen past in order to better understand the planet's current climate patterns. With high-tech tools and groundbreaking new discoveries, this episode showcases the latest research into the world as it was more than 10,000 years ago.

Viewers join researchers as they travel to an ancient lake bed, where they harvest sediment from the bottom of the lake. Analyzing the sediment samples provides vital information about past climates, as well as the plant and animal life that lived in the region during the last ice age. It also allows for the discovery of contamination and pesticides that have wreaked havoc on the environment.

The episode also delves into the mysteries surrounding the mass extinction of megafauna - giant creatures such as woolly mammoths that once roamed the earth. How and why did these creatures disappear, leaving behind only fossils and legends? This episode tackles this question, exploring the many theories surrounding the demise of these magnificent animals.

Of course, much of the show centers around the massive ice sheets that once covered much of North America and Europe. The episode pulls out all the stops, using stunning CGI to take viewers back in time to see what these frozen vistas might have looked like. It's a breathtaking look at a time in the earth's history that was both beautiful and terrifying.

So why were the earth's ice caps so enormous during the last ice age? And how did they finally recede, allowing humanity to flourish? These are just some of the questions that NOVA seeks to answer in "Cracking the Ice Age."

This episode of NOVA pulls together decades of scientific research in order to present a comprehensive look at the earth's frozen past. It's a fascinating and compelling journey, one that's sure to captivate anyone interested in our planet's history. With stunning visuals and groundbreaking research, this is a show that will leave viewers with a greater appreciation for the world around them.