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

Stalagmite luminescence excitation emission wavelength timeseries can provi de high-resolution palaeoclimate records. Were, we employ multidimensional visualisation techniques in order to interpret a 10,000 year luminescence r ecord from a stalagmite from Crag Cave, SW Ireland. Our results demonstrate three periods of distinct luminescence properties: (1) 0-4,000 BP, when th ey are affected by overlying agriculture. (2) 4,000-9,600 BP, where there i s a strong correlation between luminescence and C-13 isotopic variations; w e suggest the correlation demonstrates a vegetation response to climate cha nge. (3) Before 9,600 BP, where a strong early Holocene transition is visib le. Our results suggest that it took about 400-600 years for soils above th e cave to stabilise after significant climate or environmental change, and that there was a complex vegetation response between 8,000 and 7,100 BP tha t my have been a lagged response to the "8.2 ka event".