Image talk:Carbon14 with activity labels.svg

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[edit] Calibration Curve

Can we have some more information about the source of this data? As far as I can make out (well, guess), this is from a calibration table for C14 dating, in which case it will contain data about all changes to the C14 concentration. C14 concentration is not dependent on solar activity alone, but also on the Earth magnetic field (significant in the long term), and C14 generation by nuclar tests and badly contained power generation (very significant in the short term). Finally, C14 has been diluted with the introduction of C14 depleted carbon by fossil fuel consumption. Thus, strongly tying it to solar events may be misleading.--Stephan Schulz 17:08, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

The record ends in 1950 because the development of nuclear weapons badly contaminated carbon records. Yes geomagnetic effects can also influence the record, though I think on this timescale they are not large. I'm not sure how large an effect dilution was. Upto 1950, perhaps not a huge one. Beryllium records generally also support the shape of the curve. Dragons flight 17:33, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

Ok. But then we should make it clearer that "years BP" is used in the Radiocarbon Dating sense, i.e. that the curve also stops in 1950. --Stephan Schulz 17:38, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

Please note I updated the figure. Dragons flight 17:39, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

So have I ;-). --Stephan Schulz 17:50, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

I meant the actual image. BP is no longer in the caption. Dragons flight 17:51, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

Aha! Note to self: Press "reload" more often. Thanks! --Stephan Schulz 17:53, 28 February 2007 (UTC)