holocen
The Holocene is the current geological epoch of the Quaternary period, following the Pleistocene. It began at the end of the last glacial maximum, about 11,700 years ago, when global climates stabilized and ice sheets largely retreated. The Holocene is characterized by a warmer, more stable climate compared with the preceding glacial cycles and by the development and intensification of human societies.
The name Holocene derives from Greek words meaning "entirely recent" or "completely new." It was coined in
In 2018 the International Union of Geological Sciences formalized a subdivision scheme for the Holocene, naming
Human activity became a dominant influence on the environment during the Holocene, with the rise of agriculture,