Abstract
The first time derivative of the earth's orbital eccentricity function is sawtooth shaped, and closely mimics the ∼100,000 yr cycles of the oxygen isotope δ18O time series (the proxy for global ice volume change) of the last ∼800,000 yr. Conversely, numerical integration of the data's variance closely reproduces the orbital eccentricity function for the same interval. Such long‐lived, strong correlation does not appear to be coincidental, is consistent with the physics of ice sheets and with the time history of their advance and retreat.