雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of the 'Anthropocene' has gained significant traction in geological and environmental circles, proposing that human activity has become a dominant force shaping the Earth's systems. While the term has yet to be formally ratified as a geological epoch, its proponents argue that markers such as nuclear fallout, plastic pollution, and elevated carbon dioxide levels provide clear stratigraphic evidence. Critics, however, contend that the Anthropocene lacks the distinct and global stratigraphic signature required for formal geological classification, suggesting instead that it may be more accurately described as an ongoing historical event rather than a new epoch. This debate underscores the broader challenge of integrating human timescales with the deep temporal frameworks of geology, raising questions about how scientific disciplines define and periodize planetary change.