M. Barmatthews et al., LATE QUATERNARY PALEOCLIMATE IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION FROMSTABLE-ISOTOPE ANALYSIS OF SPELEOTHEMS AT SOREQ CAVE, ISRAEL, Quaternary research, 47(2), 1997, pp. 155-168
The eastern Mediterranean continental paleoclimate during the past 25,
000 years was determined by a high-resolution petrographic, stable iso
topic, and age study of speleothems from Soreq Cave, Israel. delta(18)
O-delta(13)C trends indicate that all speleothems older than 7000 yr f
ormed under conditions that differ from those of today. The period fro
m 25,000 to 17,000 yr B.P. was characterized by the highest delta(18)O
and delta(13)C values, which indicate deposition at temperatures of 1
2 degrees-16 degrees C, annual rainfall of 300-450 mm, and vegetation
typical of a mixed C-3-C-4 type. From 17,000 to 10,000 yr B.P. (deglac
iation in northern Europe) delta(18)O values dropped progressively, co
rrelative with warming (2 degrees-3 degrees C) and a gradual increase
in precipitation. A simultaneous decrease in delta(13)C gives a range
expected for C-3-type vegetation. This period also shows significant d
elta(18)O and delta(13)C ''spikes'' which are correlatable with global
events (e.g., Heinrich events and the Younger Dryas Stade). The spele
othems that grew between 10,000 and 7000 yr B.P. have a unique petrogr
aphy showing irregular thin laminae of various colors and much detritu
s. They have the lowest delta(18)O (corresponding to similar to 1000 m
m rain) coupled with the highest delta(13)C (caused by flooding events
which stripped the soil cover). From 7000 to 1000 yr B.P. conditions
became closer to those of today. This study demonstrates that global e
vents which were recognized in Northern Europe and North Africa are al
so evident in the eastern Mediterranean and are reflected principally
by large changes in the rainfall rate. (C) 1997 University of Washingt
on.