Stalagmite stable isotope record of recent tropical cyclone events

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 2007 Stalagmite stable isotope record of recent tropical cyclone events Amy Benoit Frappier; Amy Benoit Frappier 1Department of Geology & Geophysics, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Dork Sahagian; Dork Sahagian 2Environmental Initiative and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Scott J. Carpenter; Scott J. Carpenter 3Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research and Department of Geoscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luis A. González; Luis A. González 4Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brian R. Frappier Brian R. Frappier 5Department of Natural Resources, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03857, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2007) 35 (2): 111–114. https://doi.org/10.1130/G23145A.1 Article history received: 28 Jun 2006 rev-recd: 12 Sep 2006 accepted: 16 Sep 2006 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Amy Benoit Frappier, Dork Sahagian, Scott J. Carpenter, Luis A. González, Brian R. Frappier; Stalagmite stable isotope record of recent tropical cyclone events. Geology 2007;; 35 (2): 111–114. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G23145A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We present a 23 yr stalagmite record (1977–2000) of oxygen isotope variation, associated with 11 tropical cyclones (TCs), from Actun Tunichil Muknal cave in central Belize. High-resolution microsampling yielded a record of monthly to weekly temporal resolution that contains abrupt decreases (negative excursions) in calcite δ18O values that correspond with recent TC rain events nearby. A logistic discriminant model reliably identified TC proxy signals using the measurable parameters δ18O and δ13C values, and single point changes in δ18O value. The logistic model correctly identified 80% of excursions as TC events and incorrectly classified only 1 of nearly 1200 nonstorm sampling points. In addition to enabling high-resolution TC frequency reconstruction, this geologic proxy also provides information about the intensity of individual TCs. A multiple regression predicted TC intensity (R2 = 0.465, p = 0.034) using sampling frequency and excursion amplitude. Consistent with previous low-resolution studies, we found that the decadal average δ18O value was lower during the 1990s when several TCs produced rainfall in the area, but higher during the 1980s when only one TC struck. Longer, accurately dated, high-resolution speleothem stable isotope records may be a useful new tool for paleotempestology, to clarify associations between highly variable TC activity and the dynamic range of Quaternary climate. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.