Publication Date:
2018-12-14
Description:
Paired measurements of 14 C/ 12 C and 230 Th ages from two Hulu Cave stalagmites complete a precise record of atmospheric 14 C covering the full range of the 14 C dating method (~54,000 years). Over the last glacial period, atmospheric 14 C/ 12 C ranges from values similar to modern values to values 1.70 times higher (42,000 to 39,000 years ago). The latter correspond to 14 C ages 5200 years less than calibrated ages and correlate with the Laschamp geomagnetic excursion followed by Heinrich Stadial 4. Millennial-scale variations are largely attributable to Earth’s magnetic field changes and in part to climate-related changes in the oceanic carbon cycle. A progressive shift to lower 14 C/ 12 C values between 25,000 and 11,000 years ago is likely related, in part, to progressively increasing ocean ventilation rates.
Keywords:
Atmospheric Science, Geochemistry, Geophysics
Print ISSN:
0036-8075
Electronic ISSN:
1095-9203
Topics:
Biology
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Chemistry and Pharmacology
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Geosciences
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Computer Science
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Medicine
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Natural Sciences in General
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Physics
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