In March 2024, a proposal to formally recognize the 'Anthropocene' as a new geological epoch, marking humanity's indelible impact on Earth, met rejection from the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS). This decision came despite strong prior support from the specialist Anthropocene Working Group (AWG), which had meticulously documented humanity's planet-altering changes to Earth's crust.
The majority of scientists within the AWG — 29 out of 33 voting members, or 88%, in a May 21, 2019, vote — agreed humanity has created a new geological reality with a distinct marker, even favoring a mid-20th century base for this new epoch, according to Quaternary. Yet, the formal geological body rejected its official designation, creating a tension between expert consensus and the rigid classification systems of geological institutions.
This institutional resistance, despite overwhelming scientific agreement, suggests the geological establishment struggles to adapt to the speed and scale of human-induced planetary change. Such a delay in formal recognition will likely not diminish scientific and public discourse around humanity's profound impact, but it may impede policy responses tied to an official designation.
The Epoch That Wasn't: Defining Humanity's Geological Signature
The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) formally proposed a new geological epoch where human activity dominates Earth's geology and ecosystems. They sought to add a "Crawfordian Stage/Age" and "Anthropocene Series/Epoch" to the International Chronostratigraphic Chart (ICC), with a base level set at 1952 CE, according to Quaternary.
Their designated "golden spike" — a Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) — was found in varved lake sediment from Crawford Lake, Ontario, Canada. This site offered a clear stratigraphic record of mid-20th century changes, providing the physical evidence most AWG experts considered "stratigraphically real," according to ScienceDirect. The rejection of such a precisely defined marker, despite its scientific rigor, highlights the deep institutional divide over how to classify human impact.
From Artificial Islands to Mining Scars: Humanity's Geological Footprint
Even as geologists debate, humanity continues to reshape the planet. In the South China Sea, Vietnam added 163 acres (66 hectares) of land to Pearson Reef through extensive dredging and landfilling. This is part of a larger effort: Vietnam created an additional 330 acres (133 hectares) of land on five new island outposts in the Spratlys during 2023 alone, according to BBC News. These massive engineering projects physically alter the seabed, depositing new sediment layers that will form distinct geological markers.
On land, industrial mining leaves equally profound scars. The Cauchari-Olaroz lithium project in Argentina's Jujuy Province began operations in 2023, driven by increasing demand. Similarly, Chile's Quebrada Blanca open pit copper mine expanded in 2023, aiming for 300,000 tonnes of copper annually, according to BBC News. Such operations move vast quantities of earth, creating new geological exposures and depositing altered material, effectively manufacturing the 'stratigraphically real' Anthropocene even as its formal recognition is denied.
Why the Geological Establishment Resisted Formal Recognition
The formal rejection of the Anthropocene epoch stemmed not from a lack of scientific consensus on humanity's geological impact or its proposed marker, but from a procedural or definitional impasse within the geological hierarchy. The dispute centers on the fundamental criteria for recognition, rather than the existence of a human-induced geological shift. Geological bodies maintain strict definitions and processes for epoch classification, developed over centuries to analyze natural changes across vast timescales.
This rigid adherence to traditional classification struggles to accommodate the unprecedented speed and scale of human-induced planetary change. The rejection, despite the AWG's 88% consensus, reveals an institutional reluctance to adapt its own processes, potentially hindering public and political acknowledgment of humanity's profound impact.
Beyond Classification: The Broader Implications of Human Impact
The debate over formal classification extends beyond academic circles, directly influencing public awareness and policy. An officially recognized geological marker would provide a clearer framework for understanding humanity's long-term environmental responsibilities and the urgency of addressing planetary changes.
While geological bodies debate definitions, humanity continues to forge the 'stratigraphically real' evidence of a new epoch. The ongoing land-building projects in Vietnam and the expansion of mining operations in South America starkly illustrate this. The institutional bottleneck, where bureaucratic hurdles outweigh scientific consensus, risks delaying crucial public and political acknowledgment of humanity's unparalleled impact. Without formal recognition, the impetus for policy changes tied to a specific geological era of human dominance may weaken.
What is the evidence for the Anthropocene epoch?
Evidence for the Anthropocene epoch includes artificial radionuclides from mid-20th century nuclear weapons tests, widespread plastic pollution, and the pervasive presence of concrete and other novel materials in the geological record. Scientists also observe global changes in atmospheric composition, like increased carbon dioxide, which leave distinct chemical signatures, according to Quaternary.
How are humans changing the Earth's geology?
Humans are changing Earth's geology by moving more sediment than all natural processes combined, through activities like construction, agriculture, and mining. This vast movement creates new landforms, alters erosion patterns, and deposits distinct layers of human-made materials, forming unique stratigraphic markers that will persist for millennia, according to PMC.
When did the Anthropocene epoch begin?
The Anthropocene Working Group proposed the epoch began around 1952 CE, coinciding with the "Great Acceleration." This period marked a rapid increase in human population, resource consumption, technological development, and global environmental impact, creating a clear and globally synchronous signal in Earth's geological record.
The formal rejection of the Anthropocene epoch by geological gatekeepers highlights a critical challenge for scientific institutions. While academic bodies debate classification, the ongoing expansion of projects like the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium mine, which began operations in 2023, continues to physically alter Earth's crust at an industrial scale, creating undeniable evidence of human impact for future geological study. The geological record will continue to document humanity's indelible mark, regardless of formal recognition.
