The speleothem record of climate variability in Southern Arabia

Uranium-series dated stalagmites from Oman indicate that pluvial conditions prevailed from 6.3 to 10.5, 78 to 82, 120 to 130, 180 to 200 and 300 to 330 kyr B.P.; all of these periods coincide with peak interglacials. Oxygen (delta O-18) and hydrogen (delta D) isotope ratios of speleothem calcite and fluid inclusions reveal the source of moisture and provide information on the amount of precipitation, respectively. delta O-18 and delta D values of stalagmites deposited during peak interglacials vary between -8 and -4 parts per thousand (VPDB) and -53 and -20 parts per thousand (Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water [VSMOW]) respectively, whereas modern stalagmites range from -2.6 to -1.1 parts per thousand in 8180 (VPDB) and -7.6 and -3.3 parts per thousand in delta D (VSMOW), respectively. The growth and isotopic records indicate that during peak interglacial periods, the limit of the monsoon rainfall was shifted far north of its present location and each pluvial period was coinciding with an interglacial stage of the marine oxygen isotope record. To cite this article: D. Fleitmann, A. Matter, C R. Geoscience 341 (2009). (C) 2009 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.