Structural similarity between Termination III and I

• Published in: Quaternary science reviews 2022-11, Vol.296, p.107808, Article 107808
• Main Authors: Duan, Wuhui, Cheng, Hai, Tan, Ming, Ma, Zhibang, Chen, Shitao, Wang, Lisheng, Wang, Xuefeng, Cui, Linlin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Annually-laminated stalagmite; Northern China; Structure similarity between Termination III and I; Termination III
• ISSN: 0277-3791; 1873-457X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2022.107808

The sequence of abrupt climate variability during Termination III (T-III) is still controversial due to the scarcity of well-dated and high-resolved paleoclimate records. Here, we present 230Th-dated stalagmite δ13C and δ18O data covering T-III from northern China for the first time, with an average resolution of ∼20 years. T-III was featured by two Weak Monsoon Intervals (WMIs), separated by a millennial-scale interstadial. The earlier and later WMI was labeled as Mystery Interval-III (MI-III) and Younger Dryas-III (YD-III), respectively, and the interstadial as Bølling-Allerød-III (BA-III). The transition of MI-III/BA-III, BA-III/YD-III and YD-III/PI (Penultimate Interglacial), constrained by lamination counting, lasted 52, 87 and 68 years, respectively. According to 230Th dating, the duration of the climate variability is 3253 ± 2835, 1373 ± 2294 and 1266 ± 2309 years, respectively. If the KLS-20 δ13C record was aligned to Sanbao cave record within chronology uncertainties, the best estimates of these durations are ∼2300, ∼2100 and ∼4000 years, respectively. Additionally, two significant centennial-scale climate rebounds within YD-III were identified in our records, comparable to the three short-lived climate excursions within YD observed in stalagmite BW-1 δ13C and δ18O records from the same cave and NGRIP δ18O record. The close coupling of abrupt climate oscillations during T-III and T-I highlights the structural similarity between the two deglaciations, both of which are characterized by multi-interruption of WMI. It is probably due to the relatively low amplitude and rate of northern summer insolation rise during T-III and T-I, compared with T-II and T-IV. •Detailed variability of Termination III in northern China revealed by stalagmite records.•Structural similarity between Termination III and I.•Similar trigger and transmission pattern of the climate events during Termination III and I.