A Last Interglacial speleothem record from the Sieben Hengste cave system (Switzerland): Implications for alpine paleovegetation. (15th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luetscher, Marc; Moseley, Gina E.; Festi, Daniela; Hof, Florian; Edwards, R. Lawrence; Spötl, Christoph
• Is Part Of: Quaternary science reviews. Volume 262(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-15
• Subjects: Last interglacial -- Paleoclimatology -- Europe -- Alps -- Speleothems -- U-series -- Isotopes -- Pollen -- Vegetation -- Temperature.; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Stratigraphie -- Quaternaire -- Périodiques; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.106974
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-3791

Abstract

Abstract: A precisely dated speleothem isotope record from the Sieben Hengste cave system, Switzerland, reveals a Last Interglacial (LIG) climate optimum centred at 128.1 ± 1.2 ka. The oxygen isotope signal is consistent with a temperature-dominated record and shows a strong correlation with the modelled Greenland δ 18 O signal. The comparison with speleothems formed during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in the same cave indicates a 4–5‰ difference in δ 18 O between peak LIG and peak LGM conditions, suggesting peak LIG temperatures being up to 3 °C higher than the Holocene average. Pollen extracted from the stalagmite indicates a vegetation response delayed by up to 3 ka with maximum pollen concentrations recorded at 125 ± 2.2 ka. Our results support a regional vegetation dominated by thermophile tree species including Corylus (hazel), Quercus robur-type (oak), Ulmus (elm), Tilia (lime tree) and Hedera (ivy), consistent with slightly warmer conditions than today. Despite the relatively low pollen concentration, the speleothem-based pollen spectra are consistent with regional pollen assemblage zones from paleolake sediments and provide the first direct paleovegetation evidence of thermophilization during the LIG at high altitudes in the Alps. Highlights: A Last Interglacial speleothem underlines the ocean control on the North Alpine climate. The speleothem δ 18 O signal reveals a temperature-dominated record. The Last Interglacial thermal optimum is dated at 128.1 ± 1.2 ka. A delay is observed between the temperature and local vegetation response. First palynological evidence of high-altitude thermophilization during the LIG.