Correlation of climatic events between East Asia and Norwegian Sea during last deglaciation

Abstract

Using a high resolution14C chronology, β13C values and organic carbon content, from loess/paleosol and peat profiles in China, we can demonstrate century scale warm-cold East Asian monsoon paleoclimatic fluctuation events and significant precipitation variability within the last deglaciation. The major climatic events recognized are the Bolling (1 300-12 500 a B.P.), Older Dryas (12 500-11 750 a B. P.), Allerod (11 750-11 200 aB.P.) and Younger Dryas (11 200-10 000 aB.P.). The stratigraphic structure of the last deglaciation sediments is characterized by frequent changes in sedimentation phases reflecting climatic instability. These high frequency, rapid climatic events can correlate with fluctuations recorded by sea surface temperatures in the Norwegian Sea. This indicates a pale-oclimate teleconnection between polar, high latitude areas and East Asian monsoon areas through westerlies and the related atmospheric pressure system.