Next ice age would hit Earth in 11,000 years if it weren't for climate change, scientists say

A view of Earth from space showing the planet's rounded horizon.

Changes in Earth's tilt relative to the sun have governed the movements of giant ice sheets over the past 800,000 years, triggering the start and end of eight ice ages, new research suggests.

The new study revealed an "amazing correlation" between Earth's tilt and ice sheet formation, said lead author Stephen Barker. Based on these findings, researchers estimated that the next ice age would be well underway in 11,000 years — were it not for human-driven global warming.