The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch that denotes the current period in Earth’s history, characterized by the significant impact of human activities on the planet’s geology and ecosystems. The term emphasizes the pervasive influence of humans on climate, biodiversity, and natural processes, potentially leaving a distinct stratigraphic signature in the rock record. The formal recognition of the Anthropocene is still under scientific debate.
Reference: Crutzen, P. J. (2006). “The Anthropocene.” In Earth System Science in the Anthropocene (pp. 13-18). Springer.