21 Questions
What is the likely candidate for defining the 'Anthropocene' based on the sedimentary record?
Plutonium 239 from above-ground nuclear tests starting in 1952
What is the primary basis for geological boundaries ratified to define the 'Anthropocene'?
Global stratotype section and point (GSSP)
What is cited as an ethical argument for defining the 'Anthropocene' as a new geological period?
Societal context for geosciences
What is the rate of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 60 years compared to previous natural increases?
About 100 times faster
When did greenhouse gas concentration deviate from the natural trend?
About 8,000 years ago
How much has the ocean's acidity increased due to carbon dioxide absorption?
By 30%
Approximately how much faster is the current global warming happening compared to warming interglacial events over the past million years?
About 100 times faster
Match the following disciplines with their role in defining the 'Anthropocene':
Geology = Ratifying geological boundaries Philosophy = Uniting different disciplines Ethics = Providing societal context for geosciences Paradigm shift = Linking stratigraphy with human history
Match the following arguments with their support for defining the 'Anthropocene' as a new geological period:
Philosophical arguments = Uniting different disciplines Ethical arguments = Societal context for geosciences Paradigm shift = Stratigraphy linked with human history Irreversibility = Loss of biodiversity, climate stability
Match the following substances with their potential role in determining the 'Anthropocene':
Plutonium 239 = From above-ground nuclear tests starting in 1952 Fossils = Basis for ratified geological boundaries Rivers = Less influential in shaping the landscape Glaciers = Less influential in shaping the landscape
Match the following effects with their corresponding human influence on the earth system:
Climate forcing from greenhouse gas emissions = Increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 60 years is about 100 times faster than previous natural increases Ocean acidification and heating = The ocean has absorbed enough carbon dioxide to lower its pH by 0.1 units, a 30% increase in acidity Current extinction = Losing species at a rate ~1,000 times the background rate Garbage and plastic in oceans = Pollution of groundwater and surface waters
Match the following time periods/events with their corresponding impacts on the earth system:
Increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 60 years = About 100 times faster than previous natural increases Current global warming = Happening much faster than compared to the warming interglacial events over the past million years Greenhouse gas concentration deviation = Occurred about 8,000 years ago Onset of cattle and wet rice farming = Time of deviation from natural trend in greenhouse gas concentration
Match the following rates with their corresponding environmental impact:
Natural extinction rate = About one to five species per year Current extinction rate = ~1,000 times the background rate Warming rate over 110 years = 4 degrees C Normal warming rate over 5000 years = 4 degrees C
Match the following terms with their corresponding definitions:
Anthropocene = Geological epoch where humans are the dominant influence on Earth’s climate and environment Hockey stick graph = Illustrates the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 60 years Background extinction rate = Natural rate of about one to five species per year Ocean acidification = Absorption of carbon dioxide leading to a 30% increase in acidity
Explain the concept of the Anthropocene and its significance in relation to human influence on Earth's climate and environment.
The Anthropocene is a geological epoch characterized by humans as the dominant influence on Earth’s climate and environment. It signifies the significant effects humans have had on the earth system, such as climate forcing from greenhouse gas emissions, ocean acidification and heating, current extinction rates, and pollution of oceans and groundwater.
Describe the 'hockey stick' graph and its implications for atmospheric carbon dioxide increase over the past 60 years.
The 'hockey stick' graph illustrates a rapid increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 60 years, approximately 100 times faster than previous natural increases. This rapid increase is a key indicator of the significant impact of human activities on the Earth's climate.
What are the major effects of human influence on the earth system discussed in the text, and how do they reflect the concept of the Anthropocene?
The major effects of human influence discussed in the text include climate forcing from greenhouse gas emissions, ocean acidification and heating, current extinction rates, and pollution of oceans and groundwater. These effects reflect the concept of the Anthropocene by highlighting the unprecedented and accelerated impact of human activities on the Earth's climate and environment, marking a distinct geological epoch.
Explain the significance of the observed rate of current global warming compared to warming interglacial events over the past million years.
The observed rate of current global warming is happening much faster compared to warming interglacial events over the past million years. Humans could witness a warming of 4 degrees Celsius over 110 years, whereas this warming would normally take 5000 years according to climate controls. This rapid and unprecedented rate of warming further underscores the profound impact of human activities on the Earth's climate, characteristic of the Anthropocene.
What are some arguments for defining the Anthropocene as a new geological period?
Philosophical arguments such as human history vs. geologic history, uniting different disciplines, and irreversibility, as well as ethical arguments related to societal context for geosciences and the paradigm shift in stratigraphy linked with human history, are some of the arguments for defining the Anthropocene as a new geological period.
What is the likely candidate for defining the 'Anthropocene' based on the sedimentary record?
The likely candidate for defining the 'Anthropocene' based on the sedimentary record is Plutonium 239 from above-ground nuclear tests starting in 1952, which is detectable worldwide.
How may geologists define the 'Anthropocene' in terms of geological boundaries?
Geologists may define the 'Anthropocene' in terms of geological boundaries ratified based on one specific location called GSSP (global stratotype section and point), with 65 ratified boundaries, most based on fossils, with the likely candidate being Plutonium 239 from above-ground nuclear tests starting in 1952.
Study Notes
Defining the Anthropocene
- The likely candidate for defining the 'Anthropocene' is based on the sedimentary record, specifically the presence of anthropogenic deposits such as concrete, plastics, and radioactive isotopes.
- The primary basis for geological boundaries ratified to define the 'Anthropocene' is the significant and rapid increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations over the past 60 years.
Ethical Argument
- An ethical argument for defining the 'Anthropocene' as a new geological period is that it acknowledges human responsibility for the current environmental crisis.
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
- The rate of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 60 years is unprecedented, with an increase of around 100 ppm compared to previous natural increases of around 10 ppm over thousands of years.
- Greenhouse gas concentrations deviated from the natural trend around 1800, marking the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
Ocean Acidity
- The ocean's acidity has increased by around 30% due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Global Warming
- The current global warming is happening approximately 10 times faster than warming interglacial events over the past million years.
Matching Disciplines
- Geologists, atmospheric scientists, and ecologists are key disciplines involved in defining the 'Anthropocene'.
Matching Arguments
- Arguments supporting the definition of the 'Anthropocene' as a new geological period include the significant increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, the presence of anthropogenic deposits, and the ethical imperative to acknowledge human responsibility.
Matching Substances
- Substances that could play a role in determining the 'Anthropocene' include concrete, plastics, and radioactive isotopes.
Matching Effects
- Human influences on the earth system include the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, ocean acidification, and rapid global warming.
Matching Time Periods/Events
- The Industrial Revolution and the post-World War II period are significant time periods marking the beginning of the 'Anthropocene'.
Matching Rates
- The rate of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is a key environmental impact.
Matching Terms
- The 'Anthropocene' is a term used to describe the current geological period, characterized by significant human influence on the earth system.
Concept of the Anthropocene
- The concept of the Anthropocene recognizes the significant impact of human activities on the earth's climate and environment, which is now rivaling natural geological processes in shaping the planet.
Hockey Stick Graph
- The 'hockey stick' graph illustrates the rapid increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 60 years, with a sharp uptick in recent decades.
Human Influence on Earth System
- The major effects of human influence on the earth system include the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, ocean acidification, and rapid global warming, which reflect the concept of the Anthropocene.
Significance of Global Warming
- The current rate of global warming is significant because it is happening at a rate 10 times faster than warming interglacial events over the past million years, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Arguments for Defining the Anthropocene
- Key arguments for defining the Anthropocene as a new geological period include the significant increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, the presence of anthropogenic deposits, and the ethical imperative to acknowledge human responsibility.
Geological Boundaries
- Geologists may define the 'Anthropocene' in terms of geological boundaries by identifying specific markers or strata that reflect the significant human influence on the earth system.
Test your knowledge on the Anthropocene and its impact on Earth's climate and environment. Explore the effects of human activities, including greenhouse gas emissions, and delve into the "hockey stick" graph to understand the rapid increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
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