Geology Radiocarbon Calibration Calculator
Invert independently verified matching calibration curve retaining all piecewise-linear crossings/plateau sample coordinates; no unique calibrated date or probability posterior. Caller independently establishes matching units, evidence, method edition and applicability; output is not compliance, diagnosis, work-safety approval, geological identity or validated hazard prediction.
Description
A radiocarbon calibration curve maps calendar age to an expected radiocarbon response.
A radiocarbon calibration curve maps calendar age to an expected radiocarbon response.1
Nonmonotonic curve segments can produce multiple calendar-age matches, and exact intersections differ from a calibrated probability distribution. Use this tool to calculate radiocarbon calibration from the supplied measurements and assumptions.
When to use Geology Radiocarbon Calibration Calculator
Use this tool to calculate radiocarbon calibration from the supplied measurements and assumptions. Establish the measurement units, sampled interval, calibration or model edition and geological assumptions before entering data.
How to use Geology Radiocarbon Calibration Calculator and understand its results
- Establish the measurement units, sampled interval, calibration or model edition and geological assumptions before entering data.
- Enter calendarAgesYears, callerRadiocarbonCurveYears, observedRadiocarbonAgeYears, using the field meanings and rules below, then run the tool.
- Read matchingCalendarAgesYears. Interpret the fields using their units, signs and evidence conventions below.
- If input validation fails, correct the reported field and run again. Before applying the result, check reference scope, model assumptions and any missing evidence or placeholder values.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| calendarAgesYears | Calendar ages years | list of number | Required |
| callerRadiocarbonCurveYears | Caller radiocarbon curve years | list of number | Required |
| observedRadiocarbonAgeYears | Observed radiocarbon age years | number | Required |
Enter at least two aligned finite reference ages and responses, with strictly increasing ages. Compare each response with the observed target. Include exact-equality knots, and interpolate every strict sign-change segment linearly; suppress consecutive duplicate coordinates. Return all matches in age order, including no matches when appropriate. For a flat segment exactly at the target the helper returns its sampled endpoints, not every age in the continuous interval. No uncertainty distribution, decay-curve construction or unique-age choice is provided.
matches=exact target knots plus interpolated sign-change coordinates Use the exact units, boundary rules, ordering and missing-evidence conventions above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| matchingCalendarAgesYears | Matching Calendar Ages Years; follow the units, sign, ordering and evidence convention stated above | list of number |
{
"input": {
"calendarAgesYears": [
0,
1,
2,
3
],
"callerRadiocarbonCurveYears": [
0,
2,
0,
2
],
"observedRadiocarbonAgeYears": 1
},
"output": {
"matchingCalendarAgesYears": [
0.5,
1.5,
2.5
]
}
}Limitations and assumptions
Nonmonotonic curve segments can produce multiple calendar-age matches, and exact intersections differ from a calibrated probability distribution. Interpretation depends on the units, sampling scope and exact model described above.
All listed fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, incorrect types, nonfinite numbers and sparse evidence arrays fail validation; the specific bounds and alignment requirements are stated above. Extremely large inputs or outputs can also be rejected. An input error is distinct from a successful result reporting false, no matches or missing evidence.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Geology U Th Disequilibrium Age Calculator for this related task: An activity-ratio age interpretation depends on a specified uranium–thorium evolution curve.
Use Geology U Pb Discordia Upper Intercept Calculator when its separate inputs and assumptions fit the question: A discordia line summarizes paired uranium–lead ratio observations in a chosen coordinate system.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Geology U Th Disequilibrium Age Calculator
An activity-ratio age interpretation depends on a specified uranium–thorium evolution curve.
- Geology U Pb Discordia Upper Intercept Calculator
A discordia line summarizes paired uranium–lead ratio observations in a chosen coordinate system.