Does weather and erosion have any kind of effect on carbon14 dating?

Answer 1

Hi. Carbon 14 dating is based on a radioactive decay process, so no.

Answer 2

Carbon-14 dating is affected by the intensity of cosmic ray bombardment on the Earth's surface, which does vary over time due to fluctuations in the strength of our planet's magnetic field. However, weather and erosion would have no effect (these are chemical processes, and carbon-14 dating is affected only by nuclear processes).

Answer 3

Not really. Scientists haven't been able to significantly alter the C14 levels in laboratories, when they were examining how reliable they are. There are known factors that can affect the outcome, like what the surrounding materials are. But not significantly.

C14 is not the only way to measure age, though, and the proper way of measuring age is to do it with several methods. One method might differ significantly and then you have to examine what caused the discrepancy. But using known historical events tied to a specific time and place (like the Pompeii eruption), you can calibrate several methods like tree rings, C14 and others.

Answer 4

I would say yes, especially if the weathering introduced new carbon. Since you are measuring the isotope C14, it is important to keep the specimen as pure as possible.