Anthropocene Summary

Geologic time scales often last thousands of years, and it is easy to tell when they begin and end. The current geologic time scale has present day humans living in the Holocene period which began almost 12,000 years ago. Recent debate has begun, however, that proposes a new period. Since humans have had such a large effect on the Earth, especially in the last few hundred years, various scientists want to see this period of human effects as its own section on the geologic time scale. This section would be known as the Anthropocene. In this article, the author explores the possibility of a new geologic time period by showing that there has been enough change in the geologic record and on the Earth’s surface. He wants to see if there is enough to support the creation of an entire new period which takes into account all of the effects humans have on the planet. In order to provide evidence to support the creation of an entire new time period, the author cites various studies and experiments to show different impacts that humans have had, and when those impacts have been most profound. In order to …show more content…
By looking at various factors, the group came up with an early-anthropocene proposal and a late-anthropocene proposal. The early proposal wants the anthropocene to begin 5000-7000s years ago when agriculture expanded and humans began to significantly change the surface of the earth. The late proposal wants the period the start at the beginning of the nuclear age which shot radioactive elements into the atmosphere and left a distinct mark. Additionally, the rate of production of different goods and fuels accelerated, which further planted the Earth with a human finger print. The working committee and Zalasiewicz will have to solve both of these issues before taking any proposal to the ICS and voting to formalize the