Hydroclimate variability of western Thailand during the last 1400 years

Abstract

Mainland Southeast Asia is located on the moisture transport route of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) where hydroclimate records from speleothems have rarely been investigated. Here, we present a new multi-proxy (δ18O and δ13C values, trace element concentrations, and grayscale values) data set of stalagmite KPC1 from Khao Prae cave in western Thailand spanning the last 1400 years (500–1900 CE; the Common Era). These multi-proxy data reveal a high variability between the wet and dry periods during 500–850 CE and 1150–1300 CE, stable climate conditions during 850–1150 CE, and overall dry conditions since 1300 CE. The δ13C values, trace elements concentrations, and grayscale values show centennial-scale fluctuations, which were probably driven by local hydrological processes. In contrast, variations in the stalagmite δ18O values reflect integrated changes in rainfall amount from the ISM. The KPC1 record agrees with other speleothem δ18O records of Southeast Asian summer monsoon from the last millennium, as well as the lake multi-proxy and tree-ring PDSI data from Mainland Southeast Asia, but diverges from records from the Indo-Pacific equatorial regions and the western Pacific. We conclude that hydroclimate variability at the western side of Mainland Southeast Asia is mainly driven by changes in moisture transport of the ISM. On socially relevant timescales, the KPC1 data set shows that a period of stable rainfall (850–1150 CE) coincides with the early success of the early empires (e.g., Pagan, Angkor, and Dai Viet) in Mainland Southeast Asia. In line with previous studies in the region, we speculate that the high variability in rainfall between 1150 and 1300 CE and droughts during 1300–1550 CE played a significant role in the demise of ancient societies in Southeast Asia.