A study by scientists Prof Sarah Gabbott and Prof Jan Zalasiewicz reveals that fast food and fast fashion will leave a lasting geological signature due to their durable materials. Plastic, prevalent and long-lasting, will be a dominant technofossil found globally. Food containers and aluminum cans will also create a distinct impression within geological strata. Additionally, the sheer number of modern broiler chickens ensures their fragile bones survive in the fossil record, highlighting the unique impact of contemporary human consumption on the Earth.
Plastic will definitely be a 'signature technofossil', because it is incredibly durable, we are making massive amounts of it, and it gets around the entire globe.
Fast food containers dominate ocean plastic, but aluminum drinks cans will also be part of our legacy—these will leave a distinct impression.
The rise of mass-produced synthetic garments means clothes will make an abrupt entry into humanity's fossil record.
At any moment, there are about 25 billion live chickens in the world, ensuring many will survive into the geological record.
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