The Anthropocene epoch would mark the period when humans became the predominant force over the Earth's environment.
Geologists wonder if they should add a new epoch to the geological time scale. They call it the Anthropocene -- the epoch when, for the first time in Earth's history, humans have become a predominant geophysical force. Naming such a new epoch would also recognize that humans now share responsibility with natural forces for the state of our planet's ecological environment.after reading the article, I found not much to argue with, but I'm sure that the powers that be don't want to anyone to worry their little minds over the topic of the earth's sustainability when there are terrorists to fight. But I see this change of era as a positive thing at this time in history- Let's figure out exactly what humans are doing to the planet and what we can do to sustain what we have before it's too late.
Geologists have been using the term informally for at least half a decade. Now members of the Stratigraphy Commission of the Geological Society of London have laid out the case for giving the term official scientific status.
Presenting that case in the February issue of GSA Today magazine, the team notes that "since the start of the industrial revolution, Earth has endured changes sufficient to leave a global stratigraphic signature." It is different from anything found in the entire geological record up to that point. That means the team expects future geologists examining this record will recognize a distinct break with the Holocene ("recent whole") epoch that covers the past 10,000 years.
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