We are currently living in which geologic era?
We are currently living in the Cenozoic Era, which is the most recent of the three eras of the Phanerozoic Eon. This era began approximately 66 million years ago, following the mass extinction event that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs. The Cenozoic Era is often referred to as the "Age of Mammals" because it is characterized by the diversification and dominance of mammals on land, as well as the evolution of birds, flowering plants, and insects.
Within the Cenozoic Era, we are currently in the Quaternary Period, which began about 2.58 million years ago. The Quaternary Period is further divided into two epochs: the Pleistocene Epoch and the Holocene Epoch. We are presently living in the Holocene Epoch, which commenced approximately 11,700 years ago at the end of the last major glacial period. The Holocene is a relatively warm and stable interglacial period that has been characterized by the development of human civilization and significant human impact on the planet. Some scientists propose that a new epoch, the Anthropocene, should be recognized to reflect the profound and lasting changes humans are making to the Earth's systems. However, the Anthropocene is not yet formally recognized by the International Commission on Stratigraphy.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment