Testing and Improving the IntCal20 Calibration Curve with Independent Records
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Testing and Improving the IntCal20 Calibration Curve with Independent Records. / Muscheler, Raimund; Adolphi, Florian; Heaton, Timothy J.; Ramsey, Christopher Bronk; Svensson, Anders; van der Plicht, Johannes; Reimer, Paula J.
In: Radiocarbon: An International Journal of Cosmogenic Isotope Research, Vol. 62, No. 4, 01.08.2020, p. 1079-1094.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Testing and Improving the IntCal20 Calibration Curve with Independent Records
AU - Muscheler, Raimund
AU - Adolphi, Florian
AU - Heaton, Timothy J.
AU - Ramsey, Christopher Bronk
AU - Svensson, Anders
AU - van der Plicht, Johannes
AU - Reimer, Paula J.
PY - 2020/8/1
Y1 - 2020/8/1
N2 - Connecting calendar ages to radiocarbon (C-14) ages, i.e. constructing a calibration curve, requires C-14 samples that represent, or are closely connected to, atmospheric C-14 values and that can also be independently dated. In addition to these data, there is information that can serve as independent tests of the calibration curve. For example, information from ice core radionuclide data cannot be directly incorporated into the calibration curve construction as it delivers less direct information on the C-14 age-calendar age relationship but it can provide tests of the quality of the calibration curve. Furthermore, ice core ages on C-14-dated volcanic eruptions provide key information on the agreement of ice core and radiocarbon time scales. Due to their scarcity such data would have little impact if directly incorporated into the calibration curve. However, these serve as important "anchor points" in time for independently testing the calibration curve and/or ice-core time scales. Here we will show that such information largely supports the new IntCal20 calibration record. Furthermore, we discuss how floating tree-ring sequences on ice-core time scales agree with the new calibration curve. For the period around 40,000 years ago we discuss unresolved differences between ice core Be-10 and C-14 records that are possibly related to our limited understanding of carbon cycle influences on the atmospheric C-14 concentration during the last glacial period. Finally, we review the results on the time scale comparison between the Greenland ice-core time scale (GICC05) and IntCal20 that effectively allow a direct comparison of C-14-dated records with the Greenland ice core data.
AB - Connecting calendar ages to radiocarbon (C-14) ages, i.e. constructing a calibration curve, requires C-14 samples that represent, or are closely connected to, atmospheric C-14 values and that can also be independently dated. In addition to these data, there is information that can serve as independent tests of the calibration curve. For example, information from ice core radionuclide data cannot be directly incorporated into the calibration curve construction as it delivers less direct information on the C-14 age-calendar age relationship but it can provide tests of the quality of the calibration curve. Furthermore, ice core ages on C-14-dated volcanic eruptions provide key information on the agreement of ice core and radiocarbon time scales. Due to their scarcity such data would have little impact if directly incorporated into the calibration curve. However, these serve as important "anchor points" in time for independently testing the calibration curve and/or ice-core time scales. Here we will show that such information largely supports the new IntCal20 calibration record. Furthermore, we discuss how floating tree-ring sequences on ice-core time scales agree with the new calibration curve. For the period around 40,000 years ago we discuss unresolved differences between ice core Be-10 and C-14 records that are possibly related to our limited understanding of carbon cycle influences on the atmospheric C-14 concentration during the last glacial period. Finally, we review the results on the time scale comparison between the Greenland ice-core time scale (GICC05) and IntCal20 that effectively allow a direct comparison of C-14-dated records with the Greenland ice core data.
KW - calibration
KW - chronology
KW - climate
KW - dating
KW - ice core
KW - GREENLAND ICE-CORE
KW - LAST DEGLACIATION
KW - SOLAR-ACTIVITY
KW - RADIOCARBON
KW - CHRONOLOGY
KW - TIMESCALES
KW - CLIMATE
KW - MARINE
KW - BE-10
KW - CYCLE
U2 - 10.1017/RDC.2020.54
DO - 10.1017/RDC.2020.54
M3 - Journal article
VL - 62
SP - 1079
EP - 1094
JO - Radiocarbon
JF - Radiocarbon
SN - 0033-8222
IS - 4
ER -
ID: 252878580