Geological shakeup means that we are now living in the Meghalayan era

You are now living in a new era of geological history, but this has not only begun. Scientists have (for the most part) agreed on a new way of dividing the recent history of the Earth that includes additions to accepted geological maps. According to the latest version of the international chronostratigraphical chart of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), we live in the Meghalayan era.

There are many ways to divide Earth's geological history by 4.6 billion years. We are currently living in the Holocene times, which is not a new concept. This period began 11,700 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. What is new, it is the segmentation of the Holocene epoch in three distinct periods. The oldest block is now known as the Greenland Age (11,700 to 8,300 years ago) and subsequently the North-West (8,300 to 4,200 years ago) . The current Meghalayan era began 4200 years ago and continues to this day.

Each division of the international chronostratigraphic chart corresponds to a particular change in the strata of the Earth. For example, the late Cretaceous is marked by iridium sediments most likely deposited by an asteroid impact. The Meghalayan era is indicated by a much more subtle change, which has naturally led to some disagreement in the scientific community.

The latest version of the chronological chronological / chronological geological timeline is now available! Nine #Holocene subdivisions: #Great Greek (11,700 yy b2k) #Northgrippian (8326 y2 b2k) Description #Meghalayan (Formerly 4200 before 1950)) https://t.co/IhvZHfHnWh#ChronostratigraphicChart208 pic.twitter.com/8Pf9Dnct7h

– IUGS (@theIUGS) July 13, 2018

The concept of l & # It was proposed only six years ago by the International Stratigraphy Commission (ICS). UISG has recently ratified this proposal. Scientists point to changes in oxygen isotopes caused by massive global drought about 4200 years ago. The researchers believe that this drought lasted up to a century and caused the collapse of many ancient civilizations, including the ancient Egyptian Empire, the Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia and the Liangzhu culture in China. The few contemporary sources of this time report considerably reduced rainfall.

Those who oppose change argue that the changes used as markers of the Meghalayan era may not have been truly global in nature. From this point of view, it does not belong to the international chronostratigraphic chart. They also complain that the IUGS has moved exceptionally fast to make this change and has not taken the time to consider opposing views.

There may be even more changes to come, too. Some researchers believe that the chart should recognize an even more recent slice of time known as the Anthropocene epoch. This would recognize the global changes precipitated by human activity. This change is still far from being official.