Vulcanism and radiocarbon dates

Conference · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1972

OSTI ID:4246295

Libby, L M; Libby, W F

We consider whether the long term perturbation of radiocarbon dates, which is known to be approximately a sin function of period about 8000 years and amplitude of about 8% peak-to-peak, could have been caused in any major part by vulcanism. We conclude that this is not the case. On the contrary, present day volcanoes are a far less important source of inert CO{sub 2} (about 100 fold less) than is man's burning of fossil fuels which has caused the Suess dilution of about 2%. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Los Angeles (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Science Foundation (United States)
• NSA Number: NSA-31-008683
• OSTI ID: 4246295
• Report Number(s): Conf-721019--(P1); NSF Grant No. GA-24781; NSA-31-008683
• Conference Information: International radiocarbon dating conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 18 Oct 1972; In: Proceedings of the eighth international radiocarbon dating conference. Vol. 1, organized by the Royal Society of New Zealand; Rafter, T.A.; Grant-Taylor, T. (comps.)
• Country of Publication: New Zealand
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*ISOTOPE DATING-- ERRORS
CARBON 14
CARBON DIOXIDE
COMBUSTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FOSSIL FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
N44400* --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radiometric Techniques
VOLCANOES