Anthropocene and Radiocarbon Dating

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to the Anthropocene, radiocarbon dating, and significant environmental concepts discussed in the lecture.

Anthropocene

A proposed geological epoch marked by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems.

Radiocarbon Dating

A method for determining the age of an object containing organic material by measuring the amount of carbon-14 it contains.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons.

Stable Isotope

An isotope that does not undergo radioactive decay.

Half-Life

The time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay.

Carbon-12

The most abundant and stable isotope of carbon, used as a reference in radiocarbon dating.

Carbon-14

A radioactive isotope of carbon used in radiocarbon dating, decaying to nitrogen-14 over time.

Cosmic Radiation

High-energy radiation that originates from outside the Solar System; it contributes to the formation of carbon-14.

Pleistocene

A geological epoch that lasted from about 2.6 million to about 11,700 years ago, preceding the Holocene.

Golden Spike

A marker used in geology to signify a specific point in rock strata that represents a significant geological event.

Great Acceleration

The period after World War II characterized by rapid increases in population, industrialization, and environmental changes.

Extinction Rate

The rate at which species become extinct; significantly higher due to human actions during the Anthropocene.

Holocene

The current geological epoch, starting approximately 11,700 years ago, following the last glacial period.

Geologic Epoch

A subdivision of geologic time that is smaller than a period and larger than an age.

Climate Change

Long-term changes in temperature and other atmospheric conditions on Earth, significantly influenced by human activity.

Urbanization

The process of making an area more urban, reflecting the growth of cities and the increased movement of people to urban areas.

Atmospheric Chemistry

The study of the chemical composition of the Earth's atmosphere and the reactions that take place within it.

Nomenclature

A system of names used in a particular discipline, such as the naming of epochs in geology.