The current interglacial period, which began roughly 11,700 years ago, is known as the Holocene epoch. 6 million years ago and continuing to the present.
Decoding Earth's Geological Key Timeline and Periods
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. The most prominent of these is the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) in Varna, Italy, which marks a significant cooling event and the first appearance of certain cold-water marine fossils around 2.
While not officially ratified by the International Commission on Stratigraphy, the term Anthropocene powerfully encapsulates the idea that human influence has become a dominant geological force, rivaling natural phenomena in shaping the planet's future. Similarly, the boundary between the Holocene and the proposed Anthropocene is being searched for in sediment layers, where the rise in plastics, concrete, and fossil fuel byproducts will likely leave an indelible chemical signature for future geologists to find.
Unlocking Earth's Geological Key: Charting the Quaternary Timeline
When asking what geological period are we in , the immediate answer is the Quaternary. Understanding this timeline is not merely an academic exercise; it provides essential context for our present environmental challenges and our place within deep time.
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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.
