Question

Owing to human actions that have led to changes in the environment, many scientists commonly refer to the geologic epoch that we currently live in as the __________________.

Option 1: Anthropocene
Option 2: Holocene
Option 3: Pleistocene
Option 4: Cenozoic

Answer 1

The term Anthropocene is used by scientists to describe the current epoch marked by significant human impact on Earth's ecosystems, although it's not officially recognized in the geological time scale. The dominates influence of human activities on the environment, such as pollution and deforestation, has prompted the use of this term. We exist within the Phanerozoic eon, Quaternary period, and officially, the Holocene epoch.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scientists propose that we currently live in an epoch increasingly referred to as the Anthropocene. This term is not officially recognized in the geological time scale yet, however, it is widely used to describe the significant, and often destructive, impact humans have had on Earth's ecosystems. Actions such as large-scale pollution, deforestation, and the depletion of natural resources drive climate change and contribute to a mass extinction of species, underscoring humanity's dominant influence on the planet's atmosphere and ecology.

In the broader geological context, we are part of the Phanerozoic eon, specifically in the Quaternary period. The Holocene is the current epoch of this period, which began around 11,700 years ago after the last major ice age. The concept of the Anthropocene is gaining traction as it highlights the accelerated changes across the globe resulting from human activities, such as the expansion of population and technology, especially the use of fossil fuels.