abiootseeni

Abiootseeni is a theoretical geological epoch that would follow the Holocene. The term was coined by ecologist Simon L. Lewis and his colleagues in 2016. They proposed that the Anthropocene, the epoch characterized by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems, may not be a distinct geological epoch but rather a short-term event within the current Holocene epoch. Therefore, they suggested abiootseeni as a potential name for the epoch that would begin after the Holocene, should the Earth's systems stabilize and human influence significantly recede or alter in a way that is no longer dominant.

The concept of abiootseeni is rooted in the idea that geological epochs are defined by long-term, stable changes in Earth's strata. If the current period of intense human activity is viewed as a transient phase, then the subsequent period, which would be characterized by a different set of environmental conditions and geological markers, could be named abiootseeni. The prefix "abio-" suggests a lack of or departure from the current dominant biological forces, implying a return to conditions where non-biological geological processes might regain prominence. This hypothetical epoch would be marked by the geological traces left by the Anthropocene, but also by the subsequent environmental trajectory of the planet. It is a speculative term used in discussions about the future of Earth's geological record and the potential long-term consequences of human actions.