The Quaternary is the most recent period of the geological record, and covers the last 2.6 million years. It is often thought of as the 'Ice Age', however, although it's most distinctive feature is the repeated oscillations between cold (glacial) and warm (interglacial) states. The Earth is presently in an interglacial called the Holocene, which has lasted for about 11,500 years.

Bergen is located at the coast of Western Norway in a landscape formed by glacial activity. The fjords are some of the most spectacular landforms, and are in principle drowned glacial eroded valleys. In Sognefjorden north of Bergen the glacial erosion removed nearly 3 km of rock, during the Quaternary.