A Test of “Annual Resolution” in Stalagmites Using Tree Rings

Authors

Julio L. Betancourt, U.S. Geological SurveyFollow
Henri D. Grissino-Mayer, University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleFollow
Matthew W. Salzer, University of ArizonaFollow
Thomas W. Swetnam, University of ArizonaFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2002

Citation

Quaternary Research 58, 197–199 (2002); doi:10.1006/qres.2002.2354

Abstract

So-called annual banding has been identified in a number of speleothems in which the number of bands approximates the time interval between successive U-series dates. The apparent annual resolution of speleothem records, however, remains largely untested. Here we statistically compare variations in band thickness from a late Holocene stalagmite in Carlsbad Cavern, Southern New Mexico, USA, with three independent tree-ring chronologies form the same region.We found no correspondence. Although there may be various explanations for the discordance, this limited exercise suggests that banded stalagmites should be held to the same rigorous standards in chronology building and climatic inference as annually resolved tree rings, corals, and ice cores.