Uncharted with Hannah Fry 17. The Golden Spike
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Sep 9, 2024 Hannah Fry, a scientist tracking researchers probing a new geological epoch influenced by humans, dives into a thrilling global quest sparked by a conference in Mexico. She discusses the concept of the 'golden spike'—a marker of the Anthropocene defined by human impacts like plastics and nuclear fallout. The conversation highlights the Great Acceleration, examining how human activities since the Industrial Revolution have dramatically altered our planet, and the ongoing controversy over recognizing our current epoch.
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Crutzen's Outburst
- At a 2000 Earth science conference in Mexico, Paul Crutzen interrupted a presentation, arguing against the term "Holocene."
- He insisted on a new term, "Anthropocene", to reflect humans' profound impact on Earth.
Crawford Lake's Memory
- Crawford Lake, near Toronto, acts as a natural archive of environmental change due to its undisturbed sediment layers.
- These layers record human activity like maize cultivation, sawmill operations, and industrial pollution.
Golden Spikes
- Geologists define significant planetary changes with 'golden spikes', markers in rock layers.
- The iridium layer from the dinosaur-killing asteroid marks the start of the Paleocene epoch.