Open AccessMarking the boundaries of stratigraphy: Is stratigraphy able and willing to define, describe and explain the Anthropocene?
Author(s) -
Lundershausen JohannesGeorg
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geo: geography and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2054-4049
DOI - 10.1002/geo2.55
Subject(s) - anthropocene , stratigraphy , context (archaeology) , geology , paleontology , popularity , optimal distinctiveness theory , archaeology , history , political science , psychology , tectonics , law , psychotherapist
This paper investigates the involvement of the stratigraphic community in the endeavour of defining the Anthropocene. Although much of the debate about the Anthropocene takes place outside of stratigraphy, the concept of the Anthropocene derives its distinctiveness and popularity from its geological dimension. In this context, the epistemic authority of stratigraphy is extended from ratifying geological epochs to verifying the Anthropocene more generally. The paper conceptualises this authority and examines the published stratigraphic literature to determine to what extent the stratigraphic community is able and willing to assume it. In doing so, the paper demonstrates how stratigraphy co‐produces its epistemic authority in regards to the Anthropocene.