A statement from the Chair of the Geological Society of America's Geochronology Division regarding the Anthropocene decision:
"I am ecstatic that the procedural vote by the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) has made the news. The fact that they have spent 15 years of discussion about predicating an entirely new geological epoch on humankind's fingerprints on our planet is testament to the profound nature of the changes we have caused. And I don't simply mean climate change-pollution, the built environment, and disruption of natural processes on the planet are all included in those fingerprints.
The purpose of the International Commission of Stratigraphy (ICS), which commissioned the SQS, is to look back through our geological record and assign status and times to major events evidenced in that record-events like the evolution of life, mass extinctions, impact from extraterrestrial bodies, and natural climate change. The fact that this vote failed to ratify an official proposal to the ICS is more a sign that the system is not equipped to deal with looking at the present, nor with the rate of change currently occurring on our planet.
And although it is unclear whether the Anthropocene will ever become a geological division, it is an important question for every one of us to ponder-what exactly are we doing to this planet that supports our civilization? Perhaps the question of the Anthropocene should be a more common discussion around kitchen tables, water coolers, or cafés. Back when I was a geology student, most of my professors who were educated in the 1960's and 1970's found the idea that one species could impact geology to be preposterous. Yet, the idea of the Anthropocene has put discussions of Geochronology in the major news outlets!"
-Brad Rosenheim, Professor at the College of Marine Science, University of South Florida
Image Credit - Ray Troll:
trollart.com/
Learn more about GSA's Geochronology Division:
tinyurl.com/yc8yxsda
Purchase the current GSA Geologic Time Scale poster:
tinyurl.com/3ke7ms42
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*The insights and opinions offered by members and volunteer leaders of the Geological Society of America are individual perspectives meant to enrich our collective understanding of geological issues. We invite you to explore our formal stances on various topics by visiting GSA Position Statements:
tinyurl.com/yrcd2zpr
ALT Image Credit - Ray Troll: https://www.trollart.com/