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Rates of change and chronolgical problems during the late-glacial period

Journal Article · · Climate Dynamics
OSTI ID:181943
;  [1];  [2]
  1. EAWAG-ETH, Duebendorf (Switzerland)
  2. Universitaet Bern (Switzerland)
Results of high-resolution AMS {sup 14}C dating of terrestrial plant macrofossils from late-glacial and early-Holocene lake deposits in Switzerland show three periods with constant radiocarbon ages. These plateaux of constant age occur at 12700, 10000, and 9500 y BP. A comparison of this radiocarbon chronology with a varve chronology documents discrepancies between the sidereal and the radiocarbon time-scale for the late-glacial period. The age-plateaux and the time-scale discrepancies have a significant impact on the estimation of rates of change during this period; estimates of rates of change can be very misleading if calculated on the basis of radiocarbon ages. This is illustrated by an example of estimated rates of late-glacial and early Holocene palynological change in Switzerland. 33 refs., 6 figs.
OSTI ID:
181943
Journal Information:
Climate Dynamics, Journal Name: Climate Dynamics Journal Issue: 3-4 Vol. 6; ISSN CLDYEM; ISSN 0930-7575
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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