Event stratigraphy is used to help characterise the Anthropocene as a chronostratigraphic concept, based on analogous deep-time events, for which we provide a novel categorization. Events in stratigraphy are distinct from extensive, time-transgressive ‘episodes’ – such as the global, highly diachronous record of anthropogenic change, termed here an Anthropogenic Modification Episode (AME). Nested within the AME are many geologically correlatable events, the most notable being those of the Great Acceleration Event Array (GAEA). This isochronous array of anthropogenic signals represents brief, unique events evident in geological deposits, e.g.: onset of the radionuclide ‘bomb-spike’; appearance of novel organic chemicals and fuel ash particles; marked changes in patterns of sedimentary deposition, heavy metal contents and carbon/nitrogen isotopic ratios; and ecosystem changes leaving a global fossil record; all around the mid-20^th century. The GAEA reflects a fundamental transition of the Earth System to a new state in which many parameters now lie beyond the range of Holocene variability. Globally near-instantaneous events can provide robust primary guides for chronostratigraphic boundaries. Given the intensity, magnitude, planetary significance and global isochroneity of the GAEA, it provides a suitable level for recognition of the base of the Anthropocene as a series/epoch.

事件地层学用于帮助将人类世描述为一个年代地层学概念，基于类似的深时间事件，我们为此提供了一种新颖的分类。地层学中的事件不同于广泛的、跨越时间的“事件”——例如全球性的、高度历时的人为变化记录，这里称为人为改变事件（AME）。在 AME 中嵌套了许多与地质相关的事件，其中最引人注目的是大加速事件阵列 (GAEA)。这种等时的人为信号阵列代表了地质沉积物中明显的短暂而独特的事件，例如：放射性核素“炸弹尖峰”的开始；新型有机化学品和燃料灰颗粒的出现；沉积沉积模式的显着变化，重金属含量和碳/氮同位素比；和生态系统变化留下全球化石记录；大约在 20 年中期^世纪。GAEA 反映了地球系统向新状态的根本转变，其中许多参数现在超出了全新世变率的范围。全球近乎瞬时的事件可以为年代地层边界提供强大的主要指南。鉴于 GAEA 的强度、大小、行星意义和全球等时性，它为将人类世的基础识别为系列/纪元提供了合适的水平。