epoch

the Anthropocene is not an epoch, despite protest over vote

by

Some geoscientists argue that humans have transformed the planet with plastic trash, radioactive debris and fossil-fuel emissions, among other things — and that the changes should be recognized with a new geological epoch.Credit: Mark Meredith/Getty A high-profile battle over whether to designate the ‘Anthropocene’ as a new geological epoch has come to an end. On … Read more

Geologists reject the Anthropocene as Earth’s new epoch — after 15 years of debate

by

After 15 years of discussion and exploration, a committee of researchers has decided that the Anthropocene — generally understood to be the age of irreversible human impacts on the planet — will not become an official epoch in Earth’s geological timeline. The ruling, first reported by The New York Times, is meant to be final, … Read more