Insights Into Changing Interglacial Conditions in Subarctic Canada From MIS 11 Through MIS 5e From Seasonally Resolved Speleothem Records

Abstract High‐resolution records from past interglacial climates help constrain future responses to global warming, yet are rare. Here, we produce seasonally resolved climate records from subarctic‐Canada using micron‐scale measurements of oxygen isotopes (δ18O) in speleothems with apparent annual g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical Research Letters
Main Authors: Cameron J. Batchelor, David McGee, Jeremy D. Shakun, Jon Woodhead, Adam B. Jost, Sarah Arnold, Greg Horne, Christopher W. Kinsley, Markey Freudenburg‐Puricelli
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024
Subjects:
paleoclimatology
subarctic
speleothems
interglacials
geochemistry
terrestrial
Geophysics. Cosmic physics
QC801-809
Greenland
Greenland ice cores
Sea ice
Subarctic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL108459
https://doaj.org/article/60676ac6d2984329911171c32404b293
Description
Summary:Abstract High‐resolution records from past interglacial climates help constrain future responses to global warming, yet are rare. Here, we produce seasonally resolved climate records from subarctic‐Canada using micron‐scale measurements of oxygen isotopes (δ18O) in speleothems with apparent annual growth bands from three interglacial periods—Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 11, 9, and 5e. We find 3‰ lower δ18O values during MIS 11 than MIS 5e, despite MIS 11 likely being warmer. We explore controls on high‐latitude speleothem δ18O and suggest low MIS 11 δ18O values reflect greater contribution of cold‐season precipitation to dripwater from longer annual ground thaw durations. Other potential influences include changes in precipitation source and/or increased fraction of cold‐season precipitation from diminished sea ice in MIS 11. Our study highlights the potential for high‐latitude speleothems to yield detailed isotopic records of Northern Hemisphere interglacial climates beyond the reach of Greenland ice cores and offers a framework for interpreting them.

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