The stratigraphic basis of the Anthropocene Event

This paper outlines the stratigraphic basis of a proposed Anthropocene Event. It considers a diachronous event framework to be more appropriate for understanding the Anthropocene than treating it as a new geological series/epoch. Four general categories of material evidence are identified as of part...

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Main Authors: Matthew Edgeworth, Philip Gibbard, Michael Walker, Dorothy Merritts, Stanley Finney, Mark Maslin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-07-01
Series:Quaternary Science Advances
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666033423000205
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author Matthew Edgeworth
Philip Gibbard
Michael Walker
Dorothy Merritts
Stanley Finney
Mark Maslin
author_facet Matthew Edgeworth
Philip Gibbard
Michael Walker
Dorothy Merritts
Stanley Finney
Mark Maslin
author_sort Matthew Edgeworth
collection DOAJ
description This paper outlines the stratigraphic basis of a proposed Anthropocene Event. It considers a diachronous event framework to be more appropriate for understanding the Anthropocene than treating it as a new geological series/epoch. Four general categories of material evidence are identified as of particular relevance: ‘artificial’ strata with natural constituents; humanly modified ground; legacy sediments; and ‘natural’ geo-deposits containing artefactual material. All these arise from the interaction and mixing of human, natural, and hybrid human-natural forces. Taken together, such stratigraphic evidence supports the case for recognising the Anthropocene as an unfolding event.
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spelling doaj.art-dc4559ef377648c586dda42f43189f982023-05-20T04:30:52ZengElsevierQuaternary Science Advances2666-03342023-07-0111100088The stratigraphic basis of the Anthropocene EventMatthew Edgeworth0Philip Gibbard1Michael Walker2Dorothy Merritts3Stanley Finney4Mark Maslin5School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; Corresponding author. School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UKDepartment of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, UK; Faculty of Humanities and Performing Arts, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, Wales, UKDepartment of Earth and Environment, Franklin and Marshall College, Leicester, PA, USADepartment of Geological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, CA, USADepartment of Geography, University College London, London, UK; Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkThis paper outlines the stratigraphic basis of a proposed Anthropocene Event. It considers a diachronous event framework to be more appropriate for understanding the Anthropocene than treating it as a new geological series/epoch. Four general categories of material evidence are identified as of particular relevance: ‘artificial’ strata with natural constituents; humanly modified ground; legacy sediments; and ‘natural’ geo-deposits containing artefactual material. All these arise from the interaction and mixing of human, natural, and hybrid human-natural forces. Taken together, such stratigraphic evidence supports the case for recognising the Anthropocene as an unfolding event.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666033423000205AnthropoceneDiachroneityEventHumanly-modified groundLegacy sediment
spellingShingle Matthew Edgeworth
Philip Gibbard
Michael Walker
Dorothy Merritts
Stanley Finney
Mark Maslin
The stratigraphic basis of the Anthropocene Event
Quaternary Science Advances
Anthropocene
Diachroneity
Event
Humanly-modified ground
Legacy sediment
title The stratigraphic basis of the Anthropocene Event
title_full The stratigraphic basis of the Anthropocene Event
title_fullStr The stratigraphic basis of the Anthropocene Event
title_full_unstemmed The stratigraphic basis of the Anthropocene Event
title_short The stratigraphic basis of the Anthropocene Event
title_sort stratigraphic basis of the anthropocene event
topic Anthropocene
Diachroneity
Event
Humanly-modified ground
Legacy sediment
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666033423000205
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