Timing and structure of the Younger Dryas event in northern China
Journal
Quaternary Science Reviews
Journal Volume
41
Pages
83-93
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
A high-resolution and absolute-dated stalagmite record from Kulishu Cave, Beijing characterizes Asian Monsoon (AM) history in northern China between ca 14 and 10.5 ka BP (thousand yrs before present, present = 1950), including the entire Younger Dryas (YD) event. Using 230Th dates and counting of annual-layers, the shift into the YD began at 12,850 ± 40 yr BP and took ~340 yrs and the shift out of the YD began at 11,560 ± 40 yr BP and took <38 yrs (best estimate ~20 yrs), broadly similar to previously reported AM records from central and southeastern China. The more gradual nature of the start of the YD event as observed in the AM records appears to contrast with the more abrupt beginning observed in the Greenland ice records. The total amplitude of the AM YD event is also smaller than the amplitude of the AM Heinrich Stadial 1 event. In addition, the general rising trend of the AM during the Bølling-Allerød period contrasts with the general cooling trend in Greenland temperature during that time. The influence of rising insolation on the AM may explain this observation. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Subjects
Abrupt climate change; Asian monsoon; Asymmetrical Younger Dryas structure; Kulishu Cave; Northern China
Other Subjects
Abrupt climate change; Asian monsoon; Best estimates; Cooling trends; Greenland; High resolution; Northern China; Southeastern china; Younger Dryas; Atmospheric thermodynamics; Caves; Glacial geology; Climate change; amplitude; climate variation; cooling; Heinrich event; paleoclimate; stalagmite; Younger Dryas; Arctic; China; Greenland
Type
journal article