The Current Epoch: The Meghalayan Age in the Holocene Epoch

As I write this, you are living in the year 2024, within the 2020s decade. We are currently in the 21st century, the first century of the 3rd millennium. The present era is characterized by third-world consumerism and the widespread use of social media. Recently, the global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which we call the COVID-19 pandemic, has profoundly impacted our lives.

The Geologic Time Scale

Let's delve deeper into the geologic time scale to better understand the current epoch.

The Holocene Epoch

You live in the Holocene Epoch, which began approximately 12,000 years ago. Often referred to as the 'Age of Man' due to human dominance on the globe, this epoch spans the period from the early Neolithic societies that gave rise to the first civilizations to the present day, including the Industrial Revolution and the beginning of the sixth mass extinction event. The Holocene is the second epoch of the Quaternary Period, which began about 2.58 million years ago. It is composed of the Pleistocene and the Holocene, each characterized by dramatic climate changes, most notably series of glaciations that made parts of the Earth frozen during Ice Ages.

The Quaternary Period

The Quaternary Period is the third period of the Cenozoic Era, often referred to as the 'Age of Mammals.' In this period, mammals became the dominant vertebrate animals on land, succeeding the non-avian dinosaurs that disappeared at the end of the Cretaceous period. Other animals, such as birds and insects, also flourished during this era. Additionally, the Quaternary saw the introduction of grasslands as a new biome, which further shaped the ecosystems of the time.

The Cenozoic Era

The Cenozoic Era is the third era of the Phanerozoic Eon, the fourth and current eon in Earth's history. The Phanerozoic is defined by the abundance of complex multicellular life, particularly plants and animals. In contrast to previous eons, life in the Phanerozoic was dominated by more advanced organisms, including the mammals that dominated the Holocene.

The Meghalayan Age

More specifically, the current epoch is officially known as the Holocene, which began 11,700 years ago, following the Last Glacial Maximum. However, it is now commonly divided into three ages: the Northgrippian, Celsiusian, and Meghalayan ages. The Meghalayan Age is the youngest and is characterized by a significant shift in global hydrology, marked by a widespread decrease in atmospheric methane levels and a global rise in sea levels.

Conclusion

Understanding our current epoch, the Meghalayan Age in the Holocene, can provide valuable insights into the complex and interconnected nature of Earth's systems. The Holocene's unique characteristics, including its dramatic climate changes, human dominance, and the beginning of modern environmental issues, underscore the significance of this time period in the broader context of Earth's history.

Keywords: Holocene Epoch, Meghalayan Age, Geologic Time Scale