Abstract
The inventory of atmospheric radiocarbon exhibits quasi-periodic variations over its entire 9000 year record with major periods at Λm-=200 and Λc-2300 years. Both periods are inconstant and subject to random variability (For the 200 year period the large standard deviation, σm1/2-129 years, relative to the mean suggests a significant noise contribution to this period). This -200 year period marks maxima in the radiocarbon inventory and suggests a correspondence with an extension of the Maunder minimum throughout the Holocene and suggests resolution of the long-standing issue of Maunder cyclicity. The radiocarbon maxima are amplitude modulated by the -2300 year period and thus vary significantly in peak value. Detection of a Maunder-like sequence of minima in tree ring growth of Bristlecone pine and its correlation with the Maunder-like cyclicity in the radiocarbon record supports the inference that solar forcing of the radiocarbon record is accompanied by a corresponding forcing of growth of timberline Bristlecone pine. Because of the quasi-random character of the Maunder period, prediction of climate if tied to the Maunder cycle, other than probabilistically, is significantly hindered. The probability appears to be about 67% that a given climatic maximum lies anywhere between 80 and 338 years.
