Unveiling Japan Sea's Sludge: A Disturbing Tale of Human Impact on Earth

Beppu Bay in Japan is being considered as a potential "golden spike" location for the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch defined by human impact on the Earth. The sediment in Beppu Bay contains layers that document how humans have altered the environment, from nuclear test contamination to microplastic pollution. The bay's unique characteristics, such as its basin-like shape and lack of oxygen, have preserved these anthropogenic markers. Core samples from the bay show signatures of nuclear bomb tests, providing evidence of human impact. The designation of the Anthropocene is seen as a warning for humanity to address the rapid deterioration of the global environment.