The Great Acceleration and the disappearing surficial geologic record
The surficial geologic record is the relatively thin veneer of young (<~1 Ma) and mostly unconsolidated sediments that cover portions of Earth’s terrestrial surface (Fig. 1). Once largely ignored as “overburden” by geologists, surficial deposits are now studied to address a wide range of issues related to the sustainability of human societies. Geologists use surficial deposits to determine the frequency and severity of past climatic changes, quantify natural and anthropogenic erosion rates, identify hazards, and calculate recurrence intervals associated with earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Increasingly, however, humans are eradicating the surficial geologic record in many key areas through progressive modification of Earth’s surface.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Great Acceleration and the disappearing surficial geologic record |
| DOI | 10.1130/GSATG341GW.1 |
| Authors | Jason A. Rech, Kathleen B. Springer, Jeffrey S. Pigati |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | GSA Today |
| Index ID | 70191899 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center |