The Meghalayan Age is the most recent subdivision of the Holocene Epoch, which began approximately 4,200 years ago and is defined by a global mega-drought and cooling event that impacted agricultural societies worldwide. This age is named after the Mawmluh cave in Meghalaya, India, where the chemical signatures of this event were preserved in a stalagmite, and evidence has been found on all seven continents. It marks the start of the current geological age and is unique because its beginning coincides with a global cultural shift caused by a major climatic event.
Key events: The Meghalayan Age started around 4,200 years ago. Its onset was marked by a global mega-drought that lasted for about 200 years.
Geological location: The boundary for this age is formally defined by stalagmite formations in the Mawmluh cave in Meghalaya, northeast India.
Impact: The drought and cooling likely contributed to the collapse of ancient civilizations in areas like Egypt, the Indus Valley, and the Yangtze River Valley.
Significance: It is the most recent unit of the Geologic Time Scale and is considered unique because its beginning was triggered by a global climate event that had a profound impact on human civilization.
Context: The Meghalayan Age follows the Northgrippian Age and is part of the larger Holocene Epoch, which began about 11,700 years ago after the last ice age ended.