Production of radiocarbon in tree rings by lightning bolts
Abstract
Lightning bolts appear to be able to produce neutrons by processes associated with the acceleration of ions to an amount estimated to be about a percent of the cosmic ray neutron production. The corresponding effect on radiocarbon in tree rings can explain the well-known short-term secular errors in radiocarbon dates as being caused by climatological fluctuations in frequency of lightning storms.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Geophysical Research
- Pub Date:
- October 1973
- DOI:
- 10.1029/JB078i026p05902
- Bibcode:
- 1973JGR....78.5902L
- Keywords:
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- Meteorology: General or miscellaneous;
- General or Miscellaneous