title: Defining the anthropocene.
abstract: Time is divided by geologists according to marked shifts in Earth's state. Recent global environmental changes suggest that Earth may have entered a new human-dominated geological epoch, the Anthropocene. Here we review the historical genesis of the idea and assess anthropogenic signatures in the geological record against the formal requirements for the recognition of a new epoch. The evidence suggests that of the various proposed dates two do appear to conform to the criteria to mark the beginning of the Anthropocene: 1610 and 1964. The formal establishment of an Anthropocene Epoch would mark a fundamental change in the relationship between humans and the Earth system.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Geography, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK [2] School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: Simon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Maslin
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000266:history; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D002910:Chronology as Topic; D004777:Environment; D005844:Geology / Q000379:methods*; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006802:Human Activities / Q000266:history*; D007221:Industry / Q000266:history; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide