Marc Young to Holden Thorp: Retract Sun et al.

Tusk buddy and fellow Comet Research Group member Marc Young did a great service to science by revealing the flaws of 2020 Sun et al. paper, Volcanic origin for Younger Dryas geochemical anomalies ca. 12,900 cal B.P.

Sun et al. purported to refute the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis by publishing geochemical signals of volcanic eruptions they claimed caused the mysterious climate downturn. Like many of the supposed YDIH-slaying studies lauded by critics over the years, such as Surovell 2009, Gill 2009, Scott 2010, Daulton 2010, Pinter 2011, and more, it was touted by the media as the death knell of the Younger Dryas Impact. See a typical media report below. However, the work of Martin Sweatman, Marc Young, and others, has demonstrated that not only is Sun et al. riddled with methodological failures and poor scholarship, the authors brazenly and deceptively omit the sample containing the real YDB in order to smear the hypothesis..

Martin Sweatman reveals flaws in Sun et al. immediately after publication

Without Marc Young’s efforts, the willful deception in Sun et al. may never have been brought to the attention of the journal and “Dedunked,” as Cosmic Summit 2025 speaker Dan Richards terms the process of taking down false refutations. Marc dedunks the hell out of the fish wrap and documents several key issues in Sun et al.’s study:

• Omitted Data: The authors excluded key samples from the Younger Dryas Boundary (YDB) that contain crucial evidence supporting the YDIH.
• Deceptive Sampling: The study used improper sampling techniques that skewed the geochemical results, misrepresenting the true nature of the YDB layer.
• Whistleblower Allegations: A co-author of the paper, who later requested to be removed from the final publication, provided the original data that was misrepresented by Sun et al.

Young has since launched investigations into the misconduct at Baylor and Texas A&M, taking his case to Holden Thorp, the current Editor-in-Chief of Science. Unfortunately, Thorp has defended the study’s flawed methodology, further tarnishing his credibility following his troubled tenure as Chancellor at the University of North Carolina.

Tarheel alumni like myself will recall Thorp’s stint as Chancellor, where he botched the oversight of widespread academic fraud and resigned. (The  report from the independent investigation by former Federal Prosecutor Kenneth Wainstein can be read here.)

In the Sun et al. matter, Thorp claims the paper was submitted to an anonymous ‘special reviewer’, who assured him that mis-sampling and mis-reporting the Younger Dryas Boundary layer in Science Magazine is A-OK. Nothing to see here except you, later!

While I suppose Holden should be commended for engaging with Marc directly, it seems clear Thorp’s tolerance for academic mischief has sadly extended into his publishing career.

This is not just an academic debate—it is about upholding the integrity of science. I encourage readers to share this post and call for greater accountability from Science Magazine and its editorial team. You can read Marc Young’s formal response and supporting evidence below.