Date was decided on because of the impact felt by the transfer of crops . Arrival of smallpox saw 50 million native north and Latin die . A dip in atmospheric carbon dioxide centred on 1610 was also found . Scientists argue this should now be regarded as start of Anthropocene . 'We humans are now a geological power in our own right - as Earth-changing as a meteorite strike , ' the researchers said .
Date was decided on because of the impact felt by the transfer of crops . Arrival of smallpox saw 50 million native north and South Americans die . A dip in atmospheric carbon dioxide centred on 1610 was also found . Scientists argue this should now be regarded as start of Anthropocene . 'We humans are now a geological power in our own right - as Earth-changing as a meteorite strike , ' the researchers said .