WHAT IS THE ANTHROPOCENE?
This term means “the age of humans” and is used to describe a time when humans strongly influence the planet.
Anthropocene
human activity has increased this gas in the atmosphere.
Carbon Dioxide
human-made material is mentioned as something that may appear in future rock layers.
plastic
The article explains that species are disappearing at a much faster rate than normal.
Mass extinction
What is the largest state in the United States by land area?
ALASKA
Scientists use this term to describe divisions of Earth’s history based on changes recorded in rocks.
Epoch
This major environmental issue is linked to rising greenhouse gases.
climate change
This substance, created in large amounts by humans, is another marker of the Anthropocene.
concrete
Human expansion destroys this, forcing animals to relocate or die out.
habitat
Who painted the Mona Lisa?
Leonardo da Vinci
According to the article, humans now affect Earth on a scale similar to this type of natural force.
natural forces such as volcanoes or ice ages
cities, farms, and mines have changed this feature of the planet.
Earth's Landscape
Fallout from this human activity may be used as a time marker in Earth’s layers.
Nuclear Testing
Some species survive by doing this in response to human-caused changes.
evolving
How many players are on a standard soccer team on the field?
11
the main reason scientists argue we may no longer be living in the Holocene.
large-scale human impact on Earth’s systems
Even remote parts of the planet show evidence of this human influence.
pollution or human activity
These materials did not exist naturally before humans began producing them.
synthetic materials
This energy source is closely linked to pollution and climate change in the article.
fossil fuels
How many bones are in the adult human body?
206
Kolbert explains that future scientists may study the Anthropocene by examining this part of the Earth.
geological record (or rock layers)
According to the article, human changes to Earth are not temporary but are likely to be this.
permanent
Kolbert explains that these human-made markers may remain visible for this length of time.
millions of years
This question is central to the article: What kind of planet will this group inherit?
future generations
What is the only letter in the English alphabet that is not featured on the periodic table?
J