Which term refers to the period of geologic time influenced by human activities?

The correct term that refers to the period of geologic time influenced by human activities is the Anthropocene. This concept is used to denote the significant impact that human actions have had on the Earth and its ecosystems, particularly from the mid-20th century onward. The Anthropocene reflects changes such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and widespread pollution, which are attributed to industrialization and urbanization.

The Holocene Era, while important in the context of geological time, began approximately 11,700 years ago following the last major ice age and primarily describes a period before significant human influence became pronounced. The Great Acceleration refers specifically to the post-World War II era where many indicators of human activity (like CO2 emissions and population growth) increased sharply, but it is not a formal geologic epoch like the Anthropocene. The Quaternary is a geological time period that includes the present and the last 2.6 million years, encompassing both the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs but does not specifically focus on the impact of human activities.