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Title: A new 14C calibration data set for the last deglaciation based on marine varves

Conference ·
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Varved sediments of the tropical Cariaco basin provide a new {sup 14}C calibration data set for the period of deglaciation (10,000 to 14,500 years before present: 10-14.5 cal ka BP). Independent evaluations of the Cariasco Basin calendar and {sup 14}C chronologies were based on the agreement of varve ages with the GISP2 ice core layer chronology for similar high-resolution paleoclimate records, in addition to {sup 14}C age agreement with terrestrial {sup 14}C dates, even during large climatic changes. These assessments indicate that the Cariaco Basin {sup 14}C reservoir age remained stable throughout the Younger Dryas and late Alleroed climatic events and that the varve and {sup 14}C chronologies provide an accurate alternative to existing calibrations based on coral U/Th dates. The Cariaco Basin calibration generally agrees with coral-derived calibrations but is more continuous and resolves century-scale details of {sup 14}C change not seen in the coral records. {sup 14}C plateaus can be identified at 9.6, 11.4, and 11.7 {sup 14}C ka BP, in addition to a large, sloping plateau during the Younger Dryas ({approximately}10 to 11 {sup 14}C ka BP). Accounting for features such as these is crucial to determining the relative timing and rates of change during abrupt global climate changes of the last deglaciation.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP) (US)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
8542
Report Number(s):
UCRL-JC-133356; YN010000; YN010000; TRN: AH200121%%276
Resource Relation:
Journal Volume: 40; Journal Issue: 01; Conference: 16th International Radiocarbon Conference, Groeningen (NL), 06/16/1997--06/20/1997; Other Information: PBD: 22 Feb 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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