Holocene

The Holocene is the current geological epoch, beginning approximately 11,700 years ago. It follows the Last Glacial Period, which ended with the Holocene glacial retreat. The Holocene and the preceding Pleistocene together form the Quaternary period. This epoch is an interglacial time within the ongoing glacial cycles of the Quaternary.

The Holocene is closely linked to the rapid growth and spread of the human species around the world. This is why it is often called the Age of Humans. During this time, humans developed written history, went through several technological revolutions, built major civilizations, and moved more and more toward urban living.

The Holocene has also seen many changes in Earth's natural world. Many large animals went extinct, especially outside of Africa, mostly because of human actions. In 2018, scientists officially split the Holocene into three smaller ages based on climate changes: the Greenlandian, Northgrippian, and Meghalayan. Each of these ages had its own weather patterns and challenges, shaping both the planet and the lives of people who lived through them.

Etymology

The word "Holocene" comes from Ancient Greek. The part "holo" means "whole," and "cene" is a suffix used for naming time periods. Together, it describes this time period as "entirely new."

Overview

The International Commission on Stratigraphy defines the Holocene as the current geological epoch, starting about 11,700 years ago. It follows the Pleistocene and the last glacial period. The Holocene is divided into five time intervals based on climate changes: the Preboreal, Boreal, Atlantic, Subboreal, and Subatlantic.

Some scientists suggest we are now in a new epoch called the Anthropocene, marked by significant human impact on Earth. However, this idea has not yet been officially added to the geological time scale.

Geology

The Holocene is a geologic epoch that comes right after the Pleistocene. During this time, melting ice caused sea levels to rise by about 35 meters early on and another 30 meters later. This rise in water covered areas that are now far from the ocean, leaving behind marine fossils in places like Vermont and Michigan.

In regions once pressed down by heavy glaciers, the ground slowly rose again. This uplift is still happening today and can cause small earthquakes in places like Northern Europe. Similarly, Hudson Bay in North America shrank from a larger ancient sea called the Tyrrell Sea to its current size.

Climate

The climate during the Holocene epoch, which began about 11,700 years ago, has changed in many ways. Even though temperatures were generally more stable than during the ice age, there were still big shifts. For example, big oceans and glaciers helped create patterns of warmer and cooler times, like the Little Ice Age from the 14th to the mid-19th century.

People also had a big effect on the climate. As humans started farming and cutting down forests, they changed the land. Later, during the Industrial Revolution, factories added gases that made the Earth warmer. These changes continued to shape our climate through the years.

Ecological developments

The Holocene epoch saw many large animal species disappear, especially outside of Africa. These changes happened during a time called the Late Pleistocene and continued into the early Holocene. Animals like the giant deer and woolly mammoths were among those that did not survive.

One important climate event during the Holocene was the 8.2-ka event. This was a sudden cold period that lasted about 400 years. It may have been caused by a huge lake called Lake Agassiz melting and sending cold water into the North Atlantic ocean. This changed ocean currents and affected climates around the world.

Human developments

Further information: Timeline of prehistory and Human history

The Holocene epoch saw big changes in how humans lived. During this time, people began settling in one place instead of moving around. This was possible because they started to grow plants and raise animals. Farming let people live in villages and towns, which helped them build a more stable life.

Many important cultures began during the Holocene. In places like Europe, the Middle East, and Anatolia, people developed new ways of living. They created tools like the bow and arrow and built some of the oldest towns we know of, such as Tell es-Sultan (Jericho). These changes laid the foundation for the world we live in today.

Extinction event

The Holocene extinction is an ongoing loss of many plant and animal species caused by human activity. It includes many types of life such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. Because humans have changed so many habitats, most of these extinctions may have gone unnoticed, as the species might not have been discovered yet. Scientists believe this extinction is happening much faster—about 100 to 1,000 times faster—than natural extinction rates.