Publications
2022
Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Marwan, Norbert
Die Bleßberghöhle – ein Glücksfall für die Klimaforschung Book Section
In: Thüringer Höhlenverein, e. V. (Ed.): Nächster Halt: Bleßberghöhle, Suhl, 2022.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: abrupt climate change, bb-1, bb-2, bb-3, climate zone shift, first results, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite
@incollection{breitenbach_bbh2022,
title = {Die Bleßberghöhle – ein Glücksfall für die Klimaforschung},
author = {Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach and Norbert Marwan},
editor = {Thüringer Höhlenverein, e. V.},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-02-22},
urldate = {2022-02-22},
booktitle = {Nächster Halt: Bleßberghöhle},
address = {Suhl},
abstract = {Höhlen stellen generell für die Wissenschaft ein wertvolles Archiv dar, aus dem vielfältige und interessante Erkenntnisse gewonnen werden können. So gehören sie inzwischen auch zu den bedeutendsten Klimaarchiven auf dem Festland (See- und Meeressedimente stellen andere wichtige Archive dar). Solange die Höhlensedimente und Sinter ungestört bleiben, können hydrologische und klimatische Bedingungen detailliert aufgezeichnet werden. Die Bleßberghöhle ist in diesem Zusammenhang ein ausgesprochener Glücksfall, da sie über viele Jahrtausende komplett verschlossen war und so vor äußeren Störungen bewahrt wurde. Sie ist in vielen Abschnitten mit verschiedensten Sinterformen geschmückt. Für die Rekonstruktion regionaler Klimaänderungen sind vor allem die Stalagmiten geeignet. Die wissenschaftliche Bearbeitung des aus der Bleßberghöhle gesammelten Materials ist ein langwieriger Prozess und noch lange nicht abgeschlossen. Zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt können aber bereits erste interessante Aussagen gemacht werden, auf die wir hier nach einem kurzen allgemeinen Einblick in verschiedene Aspekte der Paläoklimaforschung eingehen wollen.},
keywords = {abrupt climate change, bb-1, bb-2, bb-3, climate zone shift, first results, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
Höhlen stellen generell für die Wissenschaft ein wertvolles Archiv dar, aus dem vielfältige und interessante Erkenntnisse gewonnen werden können. So gehören sie inzwischen auch zu den bedeutendsten Klimaarchiven auf dem Festland (See- und Meeressedimente stellen andere wichtige Archive dar). Solange die Höhlensedimente und Sinter ungestört bleiben, können hydrologische und klimatische Bedingungen detailliert aufgezeichnet werden. Die Bleßberghöhle ist in diesem Zusammenhang ein ausgesprochener Glücksfall, da sie über viele Jahrtausende komplett verschlossen war und so vor äußeren Störungen bewahrt wurde. Sie ist in vielen Abschnitten mit verschiedensten Sinterformen geschmückt. Für die Rekonstruktion regionaler Klimaänderungen sind vor allem die Stalagmiten geeignet. Die wissenschaftliche Bearbeitung des aus der Bleßberghöhle gesammelten Materials ist ein langwieriger Prozess und noch lange nicht abgeschlossen. Zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt können aber bereits erste interessante Aussagen gemacht werden, auf die wir hier nach einem kurzen allgemeinen Einblick in verschiedene Aspekte der Paläoklimaforschung eingehen wollen.
2019
Waltgenbach, Sarah
Evaluation of the potential of speleothems for reconstruction of (short-term) phases of extreme climate PhD Thesis
2019.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: bb-3, jgu, palaeoclimate, stalagmite
@phdthesis{waltgenbach2019,
title = {Evaluation of the potential of speleothems for reconstruction of (short-term) phases of extreme climate},
author = {Sarah Waltgenbach},
editor = {Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-10-24},
urldate = {2019-10-24},
abstract = {Speleothems are secondary carbonate deposits and can be found in caves all over the world. In addition to several proxies (i.e., stable carbon and oxygen isotopes as well as trace elements), which can be measured in high resolution, they can also be precisely dated with the 230Th/U disequilibrium method. The high-resolution multi-proxy records enable the reconstruction of past environmental conditions, such as temperature, precipitation as well as vegetation and soil activity. Cave monitoring data contributes to a better understanding of the site-specific processes, which influence the geochemical composition of a speleothem. Based on these advantages, speleothems are an important paleoclimate archive. The reconstruction of paleoclimate conditions, especially during climate anomalies, would improve the understanding and prediction of future climate changes. During the Holocene, several phases of substantial climate variability have been recorded. These include the 8.2 ka cold event and several centennial scale climate oscillations during the last 2500 years, such as the Roman Warm Period, the Dark Ages Cold Period, the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age.
In this thesis, the potential of speleothems for the reconstruction of such phases with extreme climate conditions is evaluated. For this purpose, six speleothems from three different cave systems in Germany (Bleßberg Cave, Bunker Cave and Herbstlabyrinth cave system) have been studied. The high-resolution stable isotope and trace element measurements enable a multi-proxy comparison of the 8.2 ka event and the climate anomalies of the last 2500 years in different speleothems from different caves. The 8.2 ka cooling event is recorded in the stable oxygen isotope values of three stalagmites from Bunker Cave and Herbstlabyrinth cave system as a pronounced negative excursion and can be divided into a ‘whole event’ and a ‘central event’. The timing and duration of the event differ between the individual records. In the speleothems from the Herbstlabyrinth cave system the 8.2 ka event was dated earlier and has a shorter duration than in the stalagmite from Bunker Cave. Whereas the Bunker Cave speleothem also shows a negative peak in the stable carbon isotope values and the Mg content, the stalagmites from the Herbstlabyrinth cave system do not show distinct features in other proxies. Thus, the negative peak in the stable oxygen isotope values during the 8.2 ka event is mainly related to changes in the stable oxygen isotope values of the precipitation above the caves and reflect large-scale changes in the North Atlantic.
Four speleothems from Bunker Cave and the Herbstlabyrinth cave system cover the last 2500 years. Their high-resolution multi-proxy records with near annual resolution enable a reconstruction of the climate conditions during the Late Holocene and all speleothems show evidence for intervals of climate variability during this time. The multi-proxy records of the speleothems from the Herbstlabyrinth cave system indicate a higher vegetation productivity because of more humid conditions during the Roman Warm Period and the Dark Ages Cold Period. However, at Bunker Cave, climate conditions during the Dark Ages Cold Period were cold and dry. The contrasting pattern is observed during the Medieval Warm Period, which is characterized by warm and humid conditions at Bunker Cave and dry climate at the Herbstlabyrinth cave system. During the Little Ice Age, climate conditions at both cave sites were cold and dry with a lower vegetation productivity due to less precipitation. A common signal generated by a principal component analysis including the stable isotope as well as Mg data of all four speleothems also indicates differences in temperature and precipitation during some of these cold and warm phases. Thus, despite the short distance between Bunker Cave and the Herbstlabyrinth cave system, the climate conditions during the climate oscillations mentioned above, were not always the same at the two cave sites, suggesting that site-specific processes and effects may have a strong influence on the speleothem stable isotope signals and the speleothem geochemistry.},
keywords = {bb-3, jgu, palaeoclimate, stalagmite},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
Speleothems are secondary carbonate deposits and can be found in caves all over the world. In addition to several proxiesProxy Umwelt- und Klimainformationen aus der Vergangenheit sind nicht direkt verfügbar, weil niemand da war, der diese messen und aufzeichnen konnte. Daher ist man darauf angewiesen, diese Informationen indirekt aus anderen Informationen abzuleiten, wie z. B. Baumringe, das Verhältnis von Sauerstoffisotopen, Spurenelementen, Mächtigkeit von Sedimentschichten usw. Diese Art von Daten nennt man Proxies, was aus dem englischen stammt und „Stellvertreter“ bedeutet. (i.e., stable carbon and oxygen isotopes as well as trace elements), which can be measured in high resolution, they can also be precisely dated with the 230Th/UU/Th-Datierung Die U/Th-Datierung ist eine sehr präzise radiometrische Altersbestimmung auf Basis der Uran-Thorium-Zerfallsreihe. Das Uran zerfällt mit bekannten Halbwertszeiten (245.500 Jahre) zum Tochterelement Thorium. Stalagmiten bauen bei ihrem Wachstum (fast) nur das wasserlösliche Uran ein, während das schlecht bewegliche Thorium zum größten Teil im Boden und Epikarst über der Höhle verbleibt. Das kann man nutzen, um die Zeit zu berechnen, die seit der Ausfällung der untersuchten Karbonatprobe vergangen ist. Moderne massenspektrometrische Verfahren erlauben Altersbestimmungen mit der U/Th-Methode bis zu 700.000 Jahren vor Heute. disequilibrium method. The high-resolution multi-proxyProxy Umwelt- und Klimainformationen aus der Vergangenheit sind nicht direkt verfügbar, weil niemand da war, der diese messen und aufzeichnen konnte. Daher ist man darauf angewiesen, diese Informationen indirekt aus anderen Informationen abzuleiten, wie z. B. Baumringe, das Verhältnis von Sauerstoffisotopen, Spurenelementen, Mächtigkeit von Sedimentschichten usw. Diese Art von Daten nennt man Proxies, was aus dem englischen stammt und „Stellvertreter“ bedeutet. records enable the reconstruction of past environmental conditions, such as temperature, precipitation as well as vegetation and soil activity. Cave monitoring data contributes to a better understanding of the site-specific processes, which influence the geochemical composition of a speleothem. Based on these advantages, speleothems are an important paleoclimate archive. The reconstruction of paleoclimate conditions, especially during climate anomalies, would improve the understanding and prediction of future climate changes. During the Holocene, several phases of substantial climate variability have been recorded. These include the 8.2 kaka BP Mit "ka BP" sind "Tausend Jahre vor 1950" gemeint. Das "BP" steht für "before present", was in der Paläoklima-Wissenschaft als 1950 festgelegt wurde. "11.000 ka BP" bedeuted also 11 Tausend Jahre vor 1950, oder unter Verwendung unseres gewohnten Kalenders: 9050 v. Chr. cold event and several centennial scale climate oscillations during the last 2500 years, such as the Roman Warm Period, the Dark Ages Cold Period, the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age.
In this thesis, the potential of speleothems for the reconstruction of such phases with extreme climate conditions is evaluated. For this purpose, six speleothems from three different cave systems in Germany (Bleßberg Cave, Bunker Cave and Herbstlabyrinth cave system) have been studied. The high-resolution stable isotopeIsotop Chemische Elemente können aus verschieden aufgebauten Atomen gebildet sein. Die Anzahl Protonen im Atomkern ist zwar dabei gleich, aber die Anzahl der Neutronen kann variieren. Man spricht dann von Isotopen, deren Massen kleine, aber messbare Unterschiede aufweisen. Der Atomkern des Sauerstoffs besteht z. B. aus 8 Protonen und in der Regel aus 8 Neutronen. Es gibt aber auch Sauerstoff, dessen Kerne aus 8 Protonen und 9 oder 10 Neutronen bestehen (neben selteneren, instabilen Sauerstoffisotopen). Um das zu kennzeichnen, gibt man zusätzlich zum chemischen Symbol noch die Massenzahl (Summe aus Protonen und Neutronen) an, also 16O, 17O oder 18O. Die unterschiedlichen Isotope verhalten sich zwar chemisch identisch, physikalisch aber - aufgrund ihres unterschiedlichen Gewichtes - leicht unterschiedlich. Damit stellen sie äusserst wertvolle Marker dar, die uns wichtige Hinweise zur Änderung des Klimas, der Umgebungsvegetation, Bodenaktivität und vielem mehr geben. and trace element measurements enable a multi-proxy comparison of the 8.2 ka event and the climate anomalies of the last 2500 years in different speleothems from different caves. The 8.2 ka cooling event is recorded in the stable oxygen isotope values of three stalagmites from Bunker Cave and Herbstlabyrinth cave system as a pronounced negative excursion and can be divided into a ‘whole event’ and a ‘central event’. The timing and duration of the event differ between the individual records. In the speleothems from the Herbstlabyrinth cave system the 8.2 ka event was dated earlier and has a shorter duration than in the stalagmite from Bunker Cave. Whereas the Bunker Cave speleothem also shows a negative peak in the stable carbon isotope values and the Mg content, the stalagmites from the Herbstlabyrinth cave system do not show distinct features in other proxies. Thus, the negative peak in the stable oxygen isotope values during the 8.2 ka event is mainly related to changes in the stable oxygen isotope values of the precipitation above the caves and reflect large-scale changes in the North Atlantic.
Four speleothems from Bunker Cave and the Herbstlabyrinth cave system cover the last 2500 years. Their high-resolution multi-proxy records with near annual resolution enable a reconstruction of the climate conditions during the Late Holocene and all speleothems show evidence for intervals of climate variability during this time. The multi-proxy records of the speleothems from the Herbstlabyrinth cave system indicate a higher vegetation productivity because of more humid conditions during the Roman Warm Period and the Dark Ages Cold Period. However, at Bunker Cave, climate conditions during the Dark Ages Cold Period were cold and dry. The contrasting pattern is observed during the Medieval Warm Period, which is characterized by warm and humid conditions at Bunker Cave and dry climate at the Herbstlabyrinth cave system. During the Little Ice Age, climate conditions at both cave sites were cold and dry with a lower vegetation productivity due to less precipitation. A common signal generated by a principal component analysis including the stable isotope as well as Mg data of all four speleothems also indicates differences in temperature and precipitation during some of these cold and warm phases. Thus, despite the short distance between Bunker Cave and the Herbstlabyrinth cave system, the climate conditions during the climate oscillations mentioned above, were not always the same at the two cave sites, suggesting that site-specific processes and effects may have a strong influence on the speleothem stable isotope signals and the speleothem geochemistry.
In this thesis, the potential of speleothems for the reconstruction of such phases with extreme climate conditions is evaluated. For this purpose, six speleothems from three different cave systems in Germany (Bleßberg Cave, Bunker Cave and Herbstlabyrinth cave system) have been studied. The high-resolution stable isotopeIsotop Chemische Elemente können aus verschieden aufgebauten Atomen gebildet sein. Die Anzahl Protonen im Atomkern ist zwar dabei gleich, aber die Anzahl der Neutronen kann variieren. Man spricht dann von Isotopen, deren Massen kleine, aber messbare Unterschiede aufweisen. Der Atomkern des Sauerstoffs besteht z. B. aus 8 Protonen und in der Regel aus 8 Neutronen. Es gibt aber auch Sauerstoff, dessen Kerne aus 8 Protonen und 9 oder 10 Neutronen bestehen (neben selteneren, instabilen Sauerstoffisotopen). Um das zu kennzeichnen, gibt man zusätzlich zum chemischen Symbol noch die Massenzahl (Summe aus Protonen und Neutronen) an, also 16O, 17O oder 18O. Die unterschiedlichen Isotope verhalten sich zwar chemisch identisch, physikalisch aber - aufgrund ihres unterschiedlichen Gewichtes - leicht unterschiedlich. Damit stellen sie äusserst wertvolle Marker dar, die uns wichtige Hinweise zur Änderung des Klimas, der Umgebungsvegetation, Bodenaktivität und vielem mehr geben. and trace element measurements enable a multi-proxy comparison of the 8.2 ka event and the climate anomalies of the last 2500 years in different speleothems from different caves. The 8.2 ka cooling event is recorded in the stable oxygen isotope values of three stalagmites from Bunker Cave and Herbstlabyrinth cave system as a pronounced negative excursion and can be divided into a ‘whole event’ and a ‘central event’. The timing and duration of the event differ between the individual records. In the speleothems from the Herbstlabyrinth cave system the 8.2 ka event was dated earlier and has a shorter duration than in the stalagmite from Bunker Cave. Whereas the Bunker Cave speleothem also shows a negative peak in the stable carbon isotope values and the Mg content, the stalagmites from the Herbstlabyrinth cave system do not show distinct features in other proxies. Thus, the negative peak in the stable oxygen isotope values during the 8.2 ka event is mainly related to changes in the stable oxygen isotope values of the precipitation above the caves and reflect large-scale changes in the North Atlantic.
Four speleothems from Bunker Cave and the Herbstlabyrinth cave system cover the last 2500 years. Their high-resolution multi-proxy records with near annual resolution enable a reconstruction of the climate conditions during the Late Holocene and all speleothems show evidence for intervals of climate variability during this time. The multi-proxy records of the speleothems from the Herbstlabyrinth cave system indicate a higher vegetation productivity because of more humid conditions during the Roman Warm Period and the Dark Ages Cold Period. However, at Bunker Cave, climate conditions during the Dark Ages Cold Period were cold and dry. The contrasting pattern is observed during the Medieval Warm Period, which is characterized by warm and humid conditions at Bunker Cave and dry climate at the Herbstlabyrinth cave system. During the Little Ice Age, climate conditions at both cave sites were cold and dry with a lower vegetation productivity due to less precipitation. A common signal generated by a principal component analysis including the stable isotope as well as Mg data of all four speleothems also indicates differences in temperature and precipitation during some of these cold and warm phases. Thus, despite the short distance between Bunker Cave and the Herbstlabyrinth cave system, the climate conditions during the climate oscillations mentioned above, were not always the same at the two cave sites, suggesting that site-specific processes and effects may have a strong influence on the speleothem stable isotope signals and the speleothem geochemistry.
Marwan, Norbert; Kraemer, Kai Hauke; Wiesner, Karolin; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Leonhardt, Jens
Recurrence based entropies Presentation
07.05.2019, (Fourth International Conference on Recent Advances in Nonlinear Mechanics, Łódz (Poland)).
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: bb-1, bb-3, entropy, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite
@misc{marwan2019lodz,
title = {Recurrence based entropies},
author = {Norbert Marwan and Kai Hauke Kraemer and Karolin Wiesner and Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach and Jens Leonhardt},
editor = {Fourth International Conference on Recent Advances in Nonlinear Mechanics, Łódz (Poland)},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-05-07},
abstract = {Many dynamical processes are considered to be of complex nature. To get a quantitative idea of the complexity, often the Shannon entropy of the value distribution of a measurement is used. Alternative entropy measures have been suggested using the recurrence plot (RP) approach. A RP is a matrix that represents the recurrences of states in the d-dimensional phase space. The RP can consist of small-scale structures, such as single points, diagonal and vertical lines, which characterize important dynamical properties of the system. Various entropy measures have been defined using different features of the RP or can be related to certain properties of the RP. Because of the different features that are used, some entropy measures represent different aspects of the analysed system and, thus, behave differently. This fact can lead to misunderstandings and difficulties in interpreting and understanding those measures. We discuss definitions, motivation and interpretation of some of those entropy measures, compare their differences and discuss some of the pitfalls when using them. },
note = {Fourth International Conference on Recent Advances in Nonlinear Mechanics, Łódz (Poland)},
keywords = {bb-1, bb-3, entropy, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {presentation}
}
Many dynamical processes are considered to be of complex nature. To get a quantitative idea of the complexity, often the Shannon entropy of the value distribution of a measurement is used. Alternative entropy measures have been suggested using the recurrence plot (RP) approach. A RP is a matrix that represents the recurrences of states in the d-dimensional phase space. The RP can consist of small-scale structures, such as single points, diagonal and vertical lines, which characterize important dynamical properties of the system. Various entropy measures have been defined using different features of the RP or can be related to certain properties of the RP. Because of the different features that are used, some entropy measures represent different aspects of the analysed system and, thus, behave differently. This fact can lead to misunderstandings and difficulties in interpreting and understanding those measures. We discuss definitions, motivation and interpretation of some of those entropy measures, compare their differences and discuss some of the pitfalls when using them.
Marwan, Norbert; Kraemer, Kai Hauke; Wiesner, Karolin; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Leonhardt, Jens
Recurrence based entropies Proceedings Article
In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2019-2817, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: bb-1, bb-3, entropy, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite
@inproceedings{marwan2019,
title = {Recurrence based entropies},
author = {Norbert Marwan and Kai Hauke Kraemer and Karolin Wiesner and Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach and Jens Leonhardt},
url = {https://bbh.pik-potsdam.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EGU2019-2817.pdf},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-04-08},
booktitle = {Geophysical Research Abstracts},
volume = {21},
pages = {EGU2019-2817},
abstract = {Dynamical processes in Earth sciences are often considered to be of complex nature. The term complexity is often used for processes that are either unpredictable (e.g. nonlinear dynamics), consist of many different components, or exhibit regime transitions (e.g. tipping points). To measure complexity, the Shannon entropy is often used.
Here we present various entropy measures that have been defined on the base of the recurrence plot. Because of the different features that are used, these entropy measures represent different aspects of the analysed system and, thus, behave differently. In the past, this fact has lead to difficulties in interpreting and understanding those measures. We summarize the definitions, the motivation and interpretation of these entropy measures, compare their differences and discuss some of the pitfalls when using them.
Finally, we illustrate their potential in an application on palaeoclimate time series. Using entropy measures, changes and transitions in the climate dynamics in the past can be identified and interpreted.},
keywords = {bb-1, bb-3, entropy, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Dynamical processes in Earth sciences are often considered to be of complex nature. The term complexity is often used for processes that are either unpredictable (e.g. nonlinear dynamics), consist of many different components, or exhibit regime transitions (e.g. tipping points). To measure complexity, the Shannon entropy is often used.
Here we present various entropy measures that have been defined on the base of the recurrence plot. Because of the different features that are used, these entropy measures represent different aspects of the analysed system and, thus, behave differently. In the past, this fact has lead to difficulties in interpreting and understanding those measures. We summarize the definitions, the motivation and interpretation of these entropy measures, compare their differences and discuss some of the pitfalls when using them.
Finally, we illustrate their potential in an application on palaeoclimate time series. Using entropy measures, changes and transitions in the climate dynamics in the past can be identified and interpreted.
Here we present various entropy measures that have been defined on the base of the recurrence plot. Because of the different features that are used, these entropy measures represent different aspects of the analysed system and, thus, behave differently. In the past, this fact has lead to difficulties in interpreting and understanding those measures. We summarize the definitions, the motivation and interpretation of these entropy measures, compare their differences and discuss some of the pitfalls when using them.
Finally, we illustrate their potential in an application on palaeoclimate time series. Using entropy measures, changes and transitions in the climate dynamics in the past can be identified and interpreted.
Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Waltgenbach, Sarah; Tjallingii, Rik; Leonhardt, Jens; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Meyer, Hanno; Goswami, Bedartha; Marwan, Norbert; Scholz, Denis
Holocene interaction of maritime and continental climate in Central Europe: New speleothem evidence from Central Germany Journal Article
In: Global and Planetary Change, vol. 176, pp. 144–161, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: bb-1, bb-3, climate zone shift, gfz, jgu, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite
@article{breitenbach2019,
title = {Holocene interaction of maritime and continental climate in Central Europe: New speleothem evidence from Central Germany},
author = {Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach and Birgit Plessen and Sarah Waltgenbach and Rik Tjallingii and Jens Leonhardt and Klaus-Peter Jochum and Hanno Meyer and Bedartha Goswami and Norbert Marwan and Denis Scholz},
doi = {10.1016/j.gloplacha.2019.03.007},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-00-00},
journal = {Global and Planetary Change},
volume = {176},
pages = {144–161},
abstract = {Central European climate is strongly influenced by North Atlantic (Westerlies) and Siberian High circulation patterns, which govern precipitation and temperature dynamics and induce heterogeneous climatic conditions, with distinct boundaries between climate zones. These climate boundaries are not stationary and shift geographically, depending on long-term atmospheric conditions. So far, little is known about past shifts of these climate boundaries and the local to regional environmental response prior to the instrumental era.
High resolution multi-proxy data (stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios, S/Ca and Sr/Ca) from two Holocene stalagmites from Bleßberg Cave (Thuringia) are used here to differentiate local and pan-regional environmental and climatic conditions Central Germany through the Holocene. Carbon isotope and S/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios inform us on local Holocene environmental changes in and around the cave, while δ18O (when combined with independent records) serves as proxy for (pan-)regional atmospheric conditions.
The stable carbon isotope record suggests repeated changes in vegetation density (open vs. dense forest), and increasing forest cover in the late Holocene. Concurrently, decreasing S/Ca values indicate more effective sulfur retention in better developed soils, with a stabilization in the mid-Holocene. This goes in hand with changes in effective summer infiltration, reflected in the Sr/Ca profile. Highest Sr/Ca values between 4 ka and 1 ka BP indicate intensified prior calcite precipitation resulting from reduced effective moisture supply.
The region of Bleßberg Cave is sensitive to shifts of the boundary between maritime (Cfb) and continental (Dfb) climate and ideally suited to reconstruct past meridional shifts of this divide. We combined the Bleßberg Cave δ18O time series with δ18O data from Bunker Cave (western Germany) and a North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) record from lake SS1220 (SW Greenland) to reconstruct the mean position of the Cfb-Dfb climate boundary. We further estimate the dynamic interplay of the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Siberian High and their influence on Central European climate. Repeated shifts of the Cfb-Dfb boundary over the last 4000 years might explain previously observed discrepancies between proxy records from Europe. Detailed correlation analyses reveal multi-centennial scale alternations of maritime and continental climate and, concurrently, waning and waxing influences of Siberian High and NAO on Central Europe.},
keywords = {bb-1, bb-3, climate zone shift, gfz, jgu, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Central European climate is strongly influenced by North Atlantic (Westerlies) and Siberian High circulation patterns, which govern precipitation and temperature dynamics and induce heterogeneous climatic conditions, with distinct boundaries between climate zones. These climate boundaries are not stationary and shift geographically, depending on long-term atmospheric conditions. So far, little is known about past shifts of these climate boundaries and the local to regional environmental response prior to the instrumental era.
High resolution multi-proxy data (stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios, S/Ca and Sr/Ca) from two Holocene stalagmites from Bleßberg Cave (Thuringia) are used here to differentiate local and pan-regional environmental and climatic conditions Central Germany through the Holocene. Carbon isotope and S/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios inform us on local Holocene environmental changes in and around the cave, while δ18O (when combined with independent records) serves as proxyProxy Umwelt- und Klimainformationen aus der Vergangenheit sind nicht direkt verfügbar, weil niemand da war, der diese messen und aufzeichnen konnte. Daher ist man darauf angewiesen, diese Informationen indirekt aus anderen Informationen abzuleiten, wie z. B. Baumringe, das Verhältnis von Sauerstoffisotopen, Spurenelementen, Mächtigkeit von Sedimentschichten usw. Diese Art von Daten nennt man Proxies, was aus dem englischen stammt und „Stellvertreter“ bedeutet. for (pan-)regional atmospheric conditions.
The stable carbon isotope record suggests repeated changes in vegetation density (open vs. dense forest), and increasing forest cover in the late Holocene. Concurrently, decreasing S/Ca values indicate more effective sulfur retention in better developed soils, with a stabilization in the mid-Holocene. This goes in hand with changes in effective summer infiltration, reflected in the Sr/Ca profile. Highest Sr/Ca values between 4 ka and 1 ka BPka BP Mit "ka BP" sind "Tausend Jahre vor 1950" gemeint. Das "BP" steht für "before present", was in der Paläoklima-Wissenschaft als 1950 festgelegt wurde. "11.000 ka BP" bedeuted also 11 Tausend Jahre vor 1950, oder unter Verwendung unseres gewohnten Kalenders: 9050 v. Chr. indicate intensified prior calcite precipitation resulting from reduced effective moisture supply.
The region of Bleßberg Cave is sensitive to shifts of the boundary between maritime (Cfb) and continental (Dfb) climate and ideally suited to reconstruct past meridional shifts of this divide. We combined the Bleßberg Cave δ18O time series with δ18O data from Bunker Cave (western Germany) and a North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) record from lake SS1220 (SW Greenland) to reconstruct the mean position of the Cfb-Dfb climate boundary. We further estimate the dynamic interplay of the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Siberian High and their influence on Central European climate. Repeated shifts of the Cfb-Dfb boundary over the last 4000 years might explain previously observed discrepancies between proxy records from Europe. Detailed correlation analyses reveal multi-centennial scale alternations of maritime and continental climate and, concurrently, waning and waxing influences of Siberian High and NAO on Central Europe.
High resolution multi-proxy data (stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios, S/Ca and Sr/Ca) from two Holocene stalagmites from Bleßberg Cave (Thuringia) are used here to differentiate local and pan-regional environmental and climatic conditions Central Germany through the Holocene. Carbon isotope and S/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios inform us on local Holocene environmental changes in and around the cave, while δ18O (when combined with independent records) serves as proxyProxy Umwelt- und Klimainformationen aus der Vergangenheit sind nicht direkt verfügbar, weil niemand da war, der diese messen und aufzeichnen konnte. Daher ist man darauf angewiesen, diese Informationen indirekt aus anderen Informationen abzuleiten, wie z. B. Baumringe, das Verhältnis von Sauerstoffisotopen, Spurenelementen, Mächtigkeit von Sedimentschichten usw. Diese Art von Daten nennt man Proxies, was aus dem englischen stammt und „Stellvertreter“ bedeutet. for (pan-)regional atmospheric conditions.
The stable carbon isotope record suggests repeated changes in vegetation density (open vs. dense forest), and increasing forest cover in the late Holocene. Concurrently, decreasing S/Ca values indicate more effective sulfur retention in better developed soils, with a stabilization in the mid-Holocene. This goes in hand with changes in effective summer infiltration, reflected in the Sr/Ca profile. Highest Sr/Ca values between 4 ka and 1 ka BPka BP Mit "ka BP" sind "Tausend Jahre vor 1950" gemeint. Das "BP" steht für "before present", was in der Paläoklima-Wissenschaft als 1950 festgelegt wurde. "11.000 ka BP" bedeuted also 11 Tausend Jahre vor 1950, oder unter Verwendung unseres gewohnten Kalenders: 9050 v. Chr. indicate intensified prior calcite precipitation resulting from reduced effective moisture supply.
The region of Bleßberg Cave is sensitive to shifts of the boundary between maritime (Cfb) and continental (Dfb) climate and ideally suited to reconstruct past meridional shifts of this divide. We combined the Bleßberg Cave δ18O time series with δ18O data from Bunker Cave (western Germany) and a North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) record from lake SS1220 (SW Greenland) to reconstruct the mean position of the Cfb-Dfb climate boundary. We further estimate the dynamic interplay of the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Siberian High and their influence on Central European climate. Repeated shifts of the Cfb-Dfb boundary over the last 4000 years might explain previously observed discrepancies between proxy records from Europe. Detailed correlation analyses reveal multi-centennial scale alternations of maritime and continental climate and, concurrently, waning and waxing influences of Siberian High and NAO on Central Europe.
2018
Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Waltgenbach, Sarah; Tjallingii, Rik; Leonhardt, Jens; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Meyer, Hanno; Marwan, Norbert; Scholz, Denis
Tracing past shifts of the boundary between maritime and continental climate over Central Europe Proceedings Article
In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2018-9046, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: bb-1, bb-3, gfz, jgu, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite
@inproceedings{breitenbach2018,
title = {Tracing past shifts of the boundary between maritime and continental climate over Central Europe},
author = {Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach and Birgit Plessen and Sarah Waltgenbach and Rik Tjallingii and Jens Leonhardt and Klaus-Peter Jochum and Hanno Meyer and Norbert Marwan and Denis Scholz},
url = {https://bbh.pik-potsdam.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EGU2018-9046.pdf},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-04-01},
booktitle = {Geophysical Research Abstracts},
volume = {20},
pages = {EGU2018-9046},
abstract = { European climate is characterized by heterogeneous climate conditions, with distinct boundaries between zones that can be classified according to the Köppen classification (Peel et al. 2007), and detected using climate network techniques (Rheinwalt et al. 2016). These boundaries are not stationary, but shift geographically, depending on large scale atmospheric conditions. Central European climate is strongly influenced by intricately linked North Atlantic Oscillation and Siberian High (SH), which govern precipitation and temperature over Europe. Shifts of these climatic boundaries in response to global warming and circulation changes might lead to more frequent extreme weather patterns like heat waves, with significant repercussions for society (Cohen et al. 2014). Speleothem-based palaeoclimate reconstructions enable us to understand underlying forcing mechanisms and speed of climatic reorganizations. Here we present a first reconstruction of multi-centennial shifts of the boundary between western European maritime Cfb climate and continental Dfb climate through the last ca. 5,000 years using speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Thuringia, Central Europe. Thanks to its location near the Cfb-Dfb climatic boundary, Bleßberg Cave is ideally suited to reconstruct past W-E shifts of this divide longitudinally crossing Central Europe. We compare a decadally resolved stalagmite δ18O record with data from Bunker Cave (Mischel et al. 2017), western Germany, and an NAO reconstruction from Greenland (Olsen et al. 2012). Over the last 5,000 years, the boundary between Cfb and Dfb climate shifted repeatedly. When the Cfb-Dfb border was east (west) of Bleßberg (Bunker) Cave maritime (continental) climate prevailed at both sites. Discrepancies between investigated proxy records are found when the boundary is located between the two caves. Comparison with the Greenland NAO record shows that a westerly shifted boundary is often associated with a strong SH and a negative NAO. An easterly shift, in contrast, is found to be linked with weak a SH and a positive NAO.},
keywords = {bb-1, bb-3, gfz, jgu, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
European climate is characterized by heterogeneous climate conditions, with distinct boundaries between zones that can be classified according to the Köppen classification (Peel et al. 2007), and detected using climate network techniques (Rheinwalt et al. 2016). These boundaries are not stationary, but shift geographically, depending on large scale atmospheric conditions. Central European climate is strongly influenced by intricately linked North Atlantic Oscillation and Siberian High (SH), which govern precipitation and temperature over Europe. Shifts of these climatic boundaries in response to global warming and circulation changes might lead to more frequent extreme weather patterns like heat waves, with significant repercussions for society (Cohen et al. 2014). Speleothem-based palaeoclimate reconstructions enable us to understand underlying forcing mechanisms and speed of climatic reorganizations. Here we present a first reconstruction of multi-centennial shifts of the boundary between western European maritime Cfb climate and continental Dfb climate through the last ca. 5,000 years using speleothems from Bleßberg Cave, Thuringia, Central Europe. Thanks to its location near the Cfb-Dfb climatic boundary, Bleßberg Cave is ideally suited to reconstruct past W-E shifts of this divide longitudinally crossing Central Europe. We compare a decadally resolved stalagmite δ18O record with data from Bunker Cave (Mischel et al. 2017), western Germany, and an NAO reconstruction from Greenland (Olsen et al. 2012). Over the last 5,000 years, the boundary between Cfb and Dfb climate shifted repeatedly. When the Cfb-Dfb border was east (west) of Bleßberg (Bunker) Cave maritime (continental) climate prevailed at both sites. Discrepancies between investigated proxy records are found when the boundary is located between the two caves. Comparison with the Greenland NAO record shows that a westerly shifted boundary is often associated with a strong SH and a negative NAO. An easterly shift, in contrast, is found to be linked with weak a SH and a positive NAO.
2016
Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Plessen, Birgit; Wenz, Sarah; Leonhardt, Jens; Tjallingii, Rik; Scholz, Denis; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Marwan, Norbert
A multi-proxy reconstruction of Holocene climate change from Blessberg Cave, Germany Proceedings Article
In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2016-14213, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: bb-1, bb-2, bb-3, climate zone shift, first results, gfz, jgu, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite
@inproceedings{breitenbach2016,
title = {A multi-proxy reconstruction of Holocene climate change from Blessberg Cave, Germany},
author = {Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach and Birgit Plessen and Sarah Wenz and Jens Leonhardt and Rik Tjallingii and Denis Scholz and Klaus-Peter Jochum and Norbert Marwan},
url = {https://bbh.pik-potsdam.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Breitenbach_poster_EGU_2016.pdf},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-04-01},
booktitle = {Geophysical Research Abstracts},
volume = {18},
pages = {EGU2016-14213},
abstract = {Although Holocene climate dynamics were relatively stable compared to glacial conditions, climatic changes had significant impact on ecosystems and human society on various timescales (Mayewski et al. 2004, Donges et al. 2015, Tan et al. 2015). Precious few high-resolution records on Holocene temperature and precipitation conditions in Central Europe are available (e.g., von Grafenstein et al. 1999, Fohlmeister et al. 2012).
Here we present a speleothem-based reconstruction of past climate dynamics from Blessberg Cave, Thuringia, central Germany. Three calcitic stalagmites were recovered when the cave was discovered during tunneling operations in 2008. Samples BB-1, -2 and -3 were precisely dated by the 230Th/U-method, with errors between 10 and 160 years (2σ). The combined record covers large parts of the Holocene (10 – 0.4 ka BP). δ13C and δ18O were analysed at 100 μm resolution. To gain additional insights in infiltration conditions, Sr/Ca and S/Ca were measured on BB-1 and BB-3 using an Röntgenanalytik Eagle XXL μXRF scanner.
Differences to other central European records (e.g., von Grafenstein et al. 1999, Fohlmeister et al. 2012) suggest complex interaction between multiple factors influencing speleothem δ18O in Blessberg Cave. Furthermore, no clear influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation on our proxies is found. However, a link across the N Atlantic realm is indicated by a centennial-scale correlation between Blessberg δ18O values and minerogenic input into lake SS1220 in Greenland over the last 5 ka (Olsen et al. 2012). In addition, recurrence analysis indicates an imprint of Atlantic Bond events on Blessberg δ18O values (Marwan et al. 2014), corroborating the suggested link with high northern latitudes. Larger runoff into the Greenland lake seems to be associated with lower δ18O, higher δ13C and S/Ca ratios, as well as lower Sr/Ca ratios in Blessberg Cave speleothems. This might be linked to lower local temperature and/or changes in precipitation seasonality. Opposing millennial scale trends with lowering S/Ca ratios and δ13C values but increasing Sr/Ca ratios calls for more than one controlling factor. Most likely, δ13C decreased through the Holocene due to afforestation, which in turn might have increased sulphate retention in the thickening soil cover (Frisia et al. 2005) and limited sulphur flux into the cave. Alternatively, marine sulfur flux could have diminished with winter wind intensities. However, additional data is required to clarify this hypothesis. A positive Sr/Ca trend through the Holocene might result from increasing prior calcite precipitation induced by a negative moisture balance in summer.},
keywords = {bb-1, bb-2, bb-3, climate zone shift, first results, gfz, jgu, northumbria, palaeoclimate, pik, stalagmite},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Although Holocene climate dynamics were relatively stable compared to glacial conditions, climatic changes had significant impact on ecosystems and human society on various timescales (Mayewski et al. 2004, Donges et al. 2015, Tan et al. 2015). Precious few high-resolution records on Holocene temperature and precipitation conditions in Central Europe are available (e.g., von Grafenstein et al. 1999, Fohlmeister et al. 2012).
Here we present a speleothem-based reconstruction of past climate dynamics from Blessberg Cave, Thuringia, central Germany. Three calcitic stalagmites were recovered when the cave was discovered during tunneling operations in 2008. Samples BB-1, -2 and -3 were precisely dated by the 230Th/U-method, with errors between 10 and 160 years (2σ). The combined record covers large parts of the Holocene (10 – 0.4 ka BP). δ13C and δ18O were analysed at 100 μm resolution. To gain additional insights in infiltration conditions, Sr/Ca and S/Ca were measured on BB-1 and BB-3 using an Röntgenanalytik Eagle XXL μXRF scanner.
Differences to other central European records (e.g., von Grafenstein et al. 1999, Fohlmeister et al. 2012) suggest complex interaction between multiple factors influencing speleothem δ18O in Blessberg Cave. Furthermore, no clear influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation on our proxies is found. However, a link across the N Atlantic realm is indicated by a centennial-scale correlation between Blessberg δ18O values and minerogenic input into lake SS1220 in Greenland over the last 5 ka (Olsen et al. 2012). In addition, recurrence analysis indicates an imprint of Atlantic Bond events on Blessberg δ18O values (Marwan et al. 2014), corroborating the suggested link with high northern latitudes. Larger runoff into the Greenland lake seems to be associated with lower δ18O, higher δ13C and S/Ca ratios, as well as lower Sr/Ca ratios in Blessberg Cave speleothems. This might be linked to lower local temperature and/or changes in precipitation seasonality. Opposing millennial scale trends with lowering S/Ca ratios and δ13C values but increasing Sr/Ca ratios calls for more than one controlling factor. Most likely, δ13C decreased through the Holocene due to afforestation, which in turn might have increased sulphate retention in the thickening soil cover (Frisia et al. 2005) and limited sulphur flux into the cave. Alternatively, marine sulfur flux could have diminished with winter wind intensities. However, additional data is required to clarify this hypothesis. A positive Sr/Ca trend through the Holocene might result from increasing prior calcite precipitation induced by a negative moisture balance in summer.
Here we present a speleothem-based reconstruction of past climate dynamics from Blessberg Cave, Thuringia, central Germany. Three calcitic stalagmites were recovered when the cave was discovered during tunneling operations in 2008. Samples BB-1, -2 and -3 were precisely dated by the 230Th/U-method, with errors between 10 and 160 years (2σ). The combined record covers large parts of the Holocene (10 – 0.4 ka BP). δ13C and δ18O were analysed at 100 μm resolution. To gain additional insights in infiltration conditions, Sr/Ca and S/Ca were measured on BB-1 and BB-3 using an Röntgenanalytik Eagle XXL μXRF scanner.
Differences to other central European records (e.g., von Grafenstein et al. 1999, Fohlmeister et al. 2012) suggest complex interaction between multiple factors influencing speleothem δ18O in Blessberg Cave. Furthermore, no clear influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation on our proxies is found. However, a link across the N Atlantic realm is indicated by a centennial-scale correlation between Blessberg δ18O values and minerogenic input into lake SS1220 in Greenland over the last 5 ka (Olsen et al. 2012). In addition, recurrence analysis indicates an imprint of Atlantic Bond events on Blessberg δ18O values (Marwan et al. 2014), corroborating the suggested link with high northern latitudes. Larger runoff into the Greenland lake seems to be associated with lower δ18O, higher δ13C and S/Ca ratios, as well as lower Sr/Ca ratios in Blessberg Cave speleothems. This might be linked to lower local temperature and/or changes in precipitation seasonality. Opposing millennial scale trends with lowering S/Ca ratios and δ13C values but increasing Sr/Ca ratios calls for more than one controlling factor. Most likely, δ13C decreased through the Holocene due to afforestation, which in turn might have increased sulphate retention in the thickening soil cover (Frisia et al. 2005) and limited sulphur flux into the cave. Alternatively, marine sulfur flux could have diminished with winter wind intensities. However, additional data is required to clarify this hypothesis. A positive Sr/Ca trend through the Holocene might result from increasing prior calcite precipitation induced by a negative moisture balance in summer.
Wenz, Sarah; Scholz, Denis; Spötl, Christoph; Plessen, Birgit; Mischel, Simon; Breitenbach, Sebastian F. M.; Jochum, Klaus-Peter; Fohlmeister, Jens
Timing and duration of climate variability during the 8.2 ka event reconstructed from four speleothems from Germany Proceedings Article
In: Geophysical Research Abstracts, pp. EGU2016-12731, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: bb-3, gfz, jgu, northumbria, palaeoclimate, stalagmite
@inproceedings{wenz2016,
title = {Timing and duration of climate variability during the 8.2 ka event reconstructed from four speleothems from Germany},
author = {Sarah Wenz and Denis Scholz and Christoph Spötl and Birgit Plessen and Simon Mischel and Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach and Klaus-Peter Jochum and Jens Fohlmeister },
url = {https://bbh.pik-potsdam.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EGU2016-12731.pdf},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-04-01},
booktitle = {Geophysical Research Abstracts},
volume = {18},
pages = {EGU2016-12731},
abstract = {The most prominent climate anomaly of the Holocene is the 8.2 ka event, which reflects the impact of a dramatic freshwater influx into the North Atlantic during an interglacial climate state. Thus, it can be considered as a possible analogue for future climate change. Due to the short-lived nature of the event (160.5 ± 5.5 years; Thomas et al., 2007), a detailed investigation requires archives of both high temporal resolution and accurate chronology.
We present high-resolution stable oxygen and carbon isotope (ca. 3-4 years) as well as sub-annually resolved trace element records of the 8.2 ka event from stalagmites (BB-3, Bu4, HLK2 and TV1) from three cave systems in Germany (Blessberg Cave, Bunker Cave and Herbstlabyrinth). The location of these caves in central European is well suited in order to detect changes in temperature and precipitation in relation to changes in the North Atlantic region (Fohlmeister et al., 2012). The 8.2 ka event is clearly recorded as a pronounced negative excursion in the δ18O values of all four speleothems. While stalagmites BB-3 from Blessberg Cave and Bu4 from Bunker Cave also show a negative excursion in the δ13C values during the event, the two speleothems from Herbstlabyrinth show no distinctive features in their δ13C values. The timing, duration and structure of the event differ between the individual records. In BB-3, the event occurs earlier (ca. 8.4 ka) and has a relatively short duration of ca. 90 years. In Bu4, the event occurs later (ca. 8.1 ka) and shows a relatively long duration of more than 200 years. In the two speleothems from the Herbstlabyrinth, the event is replicated and has a timing between 8.3 and 8.1 ka and a duration of ca. 150 years. These differences may at least in part be related to the dating uncertainties of 100-200 years (95 % confidence limits).
},
keywords = {bb-3, gfz, jgu, northumbria, palaeoclimate, stalagmite},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The most prominent climate anomaly of the Holocene is the 8.2 ka event, which reflects the impact of a dramatic freshwater influx into the North Atlantic during an interglacial climate state. Thus, it can be considered as a possible analogue for future climate change. Due to the short-lived nature of the event (160.5 ± 5.5 years; Thomas et al., 2007), a detailed investigation requires archives of both high temporal resolution and accurate chronology.
We present high-resolution stable oxygen and carbon isotope (ca. 3-4 years) as well as sub-annually resolved trace element records of the 8.2 ka event from stalagmites (BB-3, Bu4, HLK2 and TV1) from three cave systems in Germany (Blessberg Cave, Bunker Cave and Herbstlabyrinth). The location of these caves in central European is well suited in order to detect changes in temperature and precipitation in relation to changes in the North Atlantic region (Fohlmeister et al., 2012). The 8.2 ka event is clearly recorded as a pronounced negative excursion in the δ18O values of all four speleothems. While stalagmites BB-3 from Blessberg Cave and Bu4 from Bunker Cave also show a negative excursion in the δ13C values during the event, the two speleothems from Herbstlabyrinth show no distinctive features in their δ13C values. The timing, duration and structure of the event differ between the individual records. In BB-3, the event occurs earlier (ca. 8.4 ka) and has a relatively short duration of ca. 90 years. In Bu4, the event occurs later (ca. 8.1 ka) and shows a relatively long duration of more than 200 years. In the two speleothems from the Herbstlabyrinth, the event is replicated and has a timing between 8.3 and 8.1 ka and a duration of ca. 150 years. These differences may at least in part be related to the dating uncertainties of 100-200 years (95 % confidence limits).
We present high-resolution stable oxygen and carbon isotope (ca. 3-4 years) as well as sub-annually resolved trace element records of the 8.2 ka event from stalagmites (BB-3, Bu4, HLK2 and TV1) from three cave systems in Germany (Blessberg Cave, Bunker Cave and Herbstlabyrinth). The location of these caves in central European is well suited in order to detect changes in temperature and precipitation in relation to changes in the North Atlantic region (Fohlmeister et al., 2012). The 8.2 ka event is clearly recorded as a pronounced negative excursion in the δ18O values of all four speleothems. While stalagmites BB-3 from Blessberg Cave and Bu4 from Bunker Cave also show a negative excursion in the δ13C values during the event, the two speleothems from Herbstlabyrinth show no distinctive features in their δ13C values. The timing, duration and structure of the event differ between the individual records. In BB-3, the event occurs earlier (ca. 8.4 ka) and has a relatively short duration of ca. 90 years. In Bu4, the event occurs later (ca. 8.1 ka) and shows a relatively long duration of more than 200 years. In the two speleothems from the Herbstlabyrinth, the event is replicated and has a timing between 8.3 and 8.1 ka and a duration of ca. 150 years. These differences may at least in part be related to the dating uncertainties of 100-200 years (95 % confidence limits).