The last glacial period is divided into two stadial stages with an interstadial stage.Evolution of lakes of the source area during the Quaternary went through three stages.

• 黄河源区的冰期可划分为3期，即末次冰期、倒数第二次冰期、倒数第三次冰期，末次冰期又可分为2个冰阶。