10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
[L03-01] The Anthropocene and 14C
★Invited Papers
Keywords:Anthropocene, 14C dating, fossil fuel
The “Anthropocene” is a term gaining currency to refer to the geological epoch of human activity that will leave a mark on the Earth observable after millions of years, and to a time when awareness of the human-environment relationship should be at the fore. Discussions have been ongoing about establishing the Anthropocene as a new geological epoch succeeding the Holocene since 2009. However, in July 2023, the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy, part of the International Commission on Stratigraphy under the International Union of Geological Sciences, rejected this proposal. If this proposal had been approved, the Anthropocene would have started in 1952, marking the end of the Holocene, which had lasted from the end of the last glacial period 11,700 years ago to the present.
There are, however, various theories regarding the starting point of the Anthropocene. Proposed starting points include not only the 1950s, when rapid climate change began, but also the Agricultural Revolution around 12,000 years ago, the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century, and 1964, when atmospheric nuclear tests caused an artificial increase in carbon-14 (14C) concentrations, peaking in the atmosphere. For this reason, some argue that instead of specifying 1952 as the exact starting date of the Anthropocene as a formal geological epoch, we should regard it as a significant event in geological history and strive for a more comprehensive definition. Establishing the Anthropocene is also a declaration that human activities are altering the Earth's environment, and careful evaluation is essential to define it accurately. Furthermore, broader field investigations and more cautious discussions are necessary to determine when the Anthropocene truly started.
In exploring this significant geological event and the timing of the Anthropocene’s onset, 14C plays a crucial role. For example, to obtain accurate dating, 14C is key due to its ability to provide high-precision and high-accuracy dating for trace samples. Additionally, the decline in atmospheric 14C concentrations due to fossil fuel use during the Industrial Revolution (enabling source analysis using 14C) and the 14C peak in 1964 (enabling atmospheric CO2 cycle analysis) underscore the critical importance of 14C in understanding human influence. This presentation will highlight several examples of how 14C contributes to discussions on the Anthropocene and will explore future developments in Anthropocene research.
There are, however, various theories regarding the starting point of the Anthropocene. Proposed starting points include not only the 1950s, when rapid climate change began, but also the Agricultural Revolution around 12,000 years ago, the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century, and 1964, when atmospheric nuclear tests caused an artificial increase in carbon-14 (14C) concentrations, peaking in the atmosphere. For this reason, some argue that instead of specifying 1952 as the exact starting date of the Anthropocene as a formal geological epoch, we should regard it as a significant event in geological history and strive for a more comprehensive definition. Establishing the Anthropocene is also a declaration that human activities are altering the Earth's environment, and careful evaluation is essential to define it accurately. Furthermore, broader field investigations and more cautious discussions are necessary to determine when the Anthropocene truly started.
In exploring this significant geological event and the timing of the Anthropocene’s onset, 14C plays a crucial role. For example, to obtain accurate dating, 14C is key due to its ability to provide high-precision and high-accuracy dating for trace samples. Additionally, the decline in atmospheric 14C concentrations due to fossil fuel use during the Industrial Revolution (enabling source analysis using 14C) and the 14C peak in 1964 (enabling atmospheric CO2 cycle analysis) underscore the critical importance of 14C in understanding human influence. This presentation will highlight several examples of how 14C contributes to discussions on the Anthropocene and will explore future developments in Anthropocene research.