Visualisation of luminescence excitation‐emission timeseries: Palaeoclimate implications from a 10,000 year stalagmite record from Ireland

Abstract

Stalagmite luminescence excitation emission wavelength timeseries can provide high‐resolution palaeoclimate records. Here, we employ multidimensional visualisation techniques in order to interpret a 10,000 year luminescence record from a stalagmite from Crag Cave, SW Ireland. Our results demonstrate three periods of distinct luminescence properties: (1) 0–4,000 BP, when they are affected by overlying agriculture. (2) 4,000–9,600 BP, where there is a strong correlation between luminescence and 13C isotopic variations; we suggest the correlation demonstrates a vegetation response to climate change, (3) Before 9,600 BP, where a strong early Holocene transition is visible. Our results suggest that it took about 400–600 years for soils above the cave to stabilise after significant climate or environmental change, and that there was a complex vegetation response between 8,000 and 7,100 BP that my have been a lagged response to the “8.2 ka event”.