The Anthropocene Epoch is believed to have started in the year 1950, marking an era of remarkable human impact on Earth’s systems. This proposition has been put forth by the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG), a team committed to investigating the concept of the Anthropocene. This group expects to win the approval of a majority, which may lead the International Union of Geological Sciences to confirm the new Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) officially by August 2024.
The Critical Role of GSSP in Geological Timescale
The GSSP serves as a specific geological reference point that marks the division between two geological time units. It plays an instrumental role in defining and linking different stages in Earth’s history. Notably, GSSPs are vital for establishing the boundaries of epochs, ages, and other partitions within the geological timescale.
Anthropocene Epoch: Evidence and Origins
The commencement date of Anthropocene finds its backing from evidence traced back to Crawford Lake near Toronto, Canada. These traces contain the radioactive element plutonium, showing a considerable increase in concentration around 1950. This significant change indicates clear human impact and validates the Anthropocene era.
The Definition and Impact of the Anthropocene Era
The term “Anthropocene epoch” was introduced by Paul Crutzen, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist, and Eugene Stoermer, a biology professor, in 2000. This term defines the current geological time interval during which Earth’s ecosystem experienced remarkable changes due to human activities, especially post the Industrial Revolution. This era is associated with numerous phenomena like Global Warming, Sea-Level Rise, Ocean Acidification, large-scale soil erosion, and many other environmental changes.
Exploring the Holocene Epoch and Its Characteristics
The Holocene epoch, the current geological era, started around 11,700 years ago, following the last major ice age. This era is marked by a stable and warm climate, fostering the development of human civilization. The Holocene epoch succeeds the Pleistocene epoch and falls under the broader Quaternary period. Despite some fluctuations, the Holocene has primarily been a period of milder and more stable conditions.
Decoding the Geological Time Scale
To understand Earth’s existence of approximately 4.6 billion years, geologists divide this vast timeline into segments such as Eon, Era, System/Period, Series/Epoch, and Stage/Age. Each segment signifies key events, like the break-up of continents, significant shifts in climate, or the emergence of specific animals and plant species.
The Functioning and Role of the International Union of Geological Science
The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) is a global non-governmental organization committed to promoting Earth sciences. It functions as an international body coordinating professional geological research and education. Established in 1961, the IUGS is a member of the International Science Council (ISC).
