Radiocarbon Wiggle-matching for the Aging of the Hayakawa Ignimbrite from Niigata Yakeyama Volcano

Abstract

 Two wood trunks, one charred and 75 years old and the other not charred and more than 199 years old, were collected from Hayakawa ignimbrite of Niigata Yakeyama Volcano. They were investigated using the radiocarbon wiggle-matching method to determine the age of the eruption. The result was 1225-1244 cal AD (95.4%), which is over 200 years younger than previous estimates. The eruption, including the Hayakawa ignimbrite, was the largest during the volcano's life period of 3000 years. Co-ignimbrite fallout KGc ash has been found at many archaeological sites spreading on the eastern flanks of Myoko Volcano and the Takada Plain. The age obtained here will provide a useful time constraint for archaeologists and volcanologists studying this area.