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8740275 
Journal Article 
Anthropocene versus holocene in the light of the principles of stratigraphy 
Nikolov, T; Hristova, R 
2020 
Yes 
Comptes Rendus de l'Académie Bulgare des Sciences
ISSN: 1310–1331
EISSN: 2367–5535 
73 
2 
236-243 
English 
In recent years, the idea that the unit "Anthropocene" should be included in the official ICS Chart with the rank of epoch has been intensively discussed in scientific literature. This proposal grew so popular that, for about 20 years, the publications on the topic far exceeded 1000. However, the idea of granting Anthropocene official unit status in the ICS Chart with the rank of epoch contradicts the basic principles of stratigraphy established and tested over the centuries. Apparently, the dynamic development of science and technology in modern times - e.g. artificial intelligence and space flights to distant planets - will give rise to a new epoch. But this no longer is and cannot be geochronology. Perhaps then we should introduce a new term, e.g. Cosmocene. In fact, keeping in mind the principles and methods to be applied in such a study of the modern era, Anthropocene is not and cannot be, in its very essence, the subject of geology; however, there is no reason that the word Anthropocene should not be freely used as a terminus technicus to describe the facts and events of the modern technogenic epoch. "Geology, the fields of study concerned with the solid Earth. Included are sciences such as mineralogy, geodesy, and stratigraphy⋯ Stratigraphy, scientific discipline concerned with the description of rock successions and their interpretation in terms of a general time scale. It provides a basis for historical geology, and its principles and methods have found application in such fields as petroleum geology and archaeology." (https://www.britannica.com/science/stratigraphy-geology). © 2020 Academic Publishing House. All rights reserved. 
Anthropocene; Anthropogenic impacts; Global change; Holocene; Pleistocene; Quaternary; Stratigraphic principles and practice