The Anthropocene: How Humans Are Changing Earth's Geological Behavior

Explore the concept of the Anthropocene in this 58-minute lecture by Associate Professor Mark Quigley from the University of Melbourne's School of Earth Sciences. Delve into how human activities are significantly altering Earth's geological processes, creating a distinct global stratigraphic layer that marks our impact on the planet. Learn about the redistribution of continental masses at a scale that influences mountain heights and affects earthquake patterns. Examine the transition from the Holocene to the Anthropocene, discussing key geological events and human-induced phenomena such as anthropogenic earthquakes, fracking, and land subsidence. Gain insights into Earth's 4.5-billion-year history, the Cambrian Explosion, and the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. Understand the challenges and opportunities presented by the Anthropocene era, and explore potential paths towards responsible stewardship of our planet.