Eons are the largest divisions, followed by eras, periods, epochs, and ages. We are part of the Cenozoic Era, which means "recent life," and this era is further subdivided into periods.
Understanding the Anthropocene and Earth's Current Place in Geological Time
This proposed epoch is defined by the undeniable global impact of human activity, such as widespread pollution, mass species extinction, ocean acidification, and climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions. The Holocene represents a period of environmental stability compared to the dramatic swings of the preceding Pleistocene epoch.
The Anthropocene Debate However, the question of what geological period we are in becomes more complex when considering the present day. Before the Quaternary, the Cretaceous period, famous for its dinosaurs, had ended, and the Tertiary period, now officially replaced by the Paleogene and Neogene periods, preceded this dynamic new interval.
Understanding the Anthropocene and Our Current Geological Position
However, this is only the beginning of a much more intricate story written in rock, ice, and fossil. The Holocene Epoch For the vast majority of the Quaternary's duration, the Earth was in a state of cyclical ice ages and warmer interglacials.
More About What geological period are we in
Looking at What geological period are we in from another angle can help expand the discussion and give readers a second clear paragraph under the same section.
More perspective on What geological period are we in can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
