During which historical periods did Earth’s temperature experience large fluctuations?

Earth's temperature has indeed experienced large fluctuations throughout various historical periods. This includes times of both significant cooling, such as ice ages, and significant warming during warmer climatic phases.

The history of Earth’s climate shows that it has undergone many cycles of glaciation and interglaciation, with periods where the planet was much warmer than today. These fluctuations can be attributed to various factors, including changes in solar energy output, volcanic activity, ocean circulation patterns, and the composition of the atmosphere, which includes greenhouse gases.

Understanding these fluctuations is crucial as they demonstrate the dynamic nature of the Earth's climate system, which can vary significantly over geological timescales. This historical perspective helps in analyzing current climate change issues, as we consider the natural variability of the climate alongside human-induced changes.