2018-07-20, 04:04 AM
Welcome to the Meghalayan Age - a new phase in history
By Jonathan Amos BBC Science Correspondent
July 18, 2018
By Jonathan Amos BBC Science Correspondent
July 18, 2018
Quote:The official history of Earth has a new chapter - and we are in it.
Geologists have classified the last 4,200 years as being a distinct age in the story of our planet.
They are calling it the Meghalayan Age, the onset of which was marked by a mega-drought that crushed a number of civilisations worldwide.
The International Chronostratigraphic Chart, the famous diagram depicting the timeline for Earth's history (seen on many classroom walls) will be updated.
It should be said, however, there is disquiet in the scientific community at the way the change has been introduced. Some researchers feel there has been insufficient discussion on the matter since the Meghalayan was first raised as an idea in a scholarly paper six years ago.