Andean-Saharan glaciation
The Andean-Saharan glaciation occurred during the Paleozoic from 450 Ma to 420 Ma, during the late Ordovician and the Silurian period. For the Ordovician/Saharan part, see the more extensive article on the Late Ordovician glaciation.
According to Eyles and Young, "A major glacial episode at c. 440 Ma, is recorded in Late Ordovician strata in West Africa, in Morocco and in west-central Saudi Arabia, all areas at polar latitudes at the time. From the Late Ordovician to the Early Silurian the centre of glaciation moved from northern Africa to southwestern South America."
During this period glaciation is known from Arabia, Sahara, West Africa, the south Amazon, and the Andes. The center of glaciation migrated from Sahara in the Ordovician to South America in the Silurian. The maximum extent of glaciation developed in Africa and eastern Brazil.
A minor ice age, the Andean-Saharan was preceded by the Cryogenian ice ages, often referred to as Snowball Earth, and followed by the Karoo Ice Age.
