Investigating climatic gradients across Britain during the Lateglacial Interstadial (GI-1) using chironomids and oxygen isotopes

Past Life and Environments

RHUL

BBK

The IPCC predict that in the future Northwest Europe will become increasingly susceptible to abrupt cooling events (ACEs). However, the forcing mechanisms causing ACEs are not yet fully understood, though, they are considered to be related to: (1) variations in the strength of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC); (2) solar variability; (3) ice mass configuration; or (4) a combination of these factors. ACEs are frequently observed in Lateglacial Interstadial palaeo-records (c. 14.7-12.9kyr ago) and by studying their spatial patterns the role of each potential forcing mechanism outlined above can be assessed. Unfortunately, there are currently too few records of abrupt climatic events with sufficient resolution to robustly attempt this. Especially lacking are records from latitudes known to be most influenced by changing AMOC strength and from locations known to have experienced profound abrupt climate change in the past (50-60oN). Therefore, this study aims to address this lack of information by utilising high-resolution quantitative proxies, from Britain and Ireland, to reconstruct patterns of ACEs during the Lateglacial Interstadial. By studying the pattern, trends, magnitude, and effects of a series of past abrupt climatic events across this time period it is hoped the forcing mechanisms can be better understood.

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