Paleoclimatic data from 74KL and Guliya cores: new insights

Abstract

We analyze multi-proxy climatic records from the 74KL marine core and compare it with the δ¹⁸O record from the Guliya ice core. These records have important implications for the evolution of the Southwest Monsoon System. We observe three distinct climatic events (viz. 19 ka to 13.5 ka, 13.5 ka to 10 ka and 3.4 ka to present) from the last glacial phase to the present. Even though the first two events are well documented in the literature, our combined analysis of data from both the cores suggests alternative mechanisms which could have complemented and strengthened these events. The third, most recent event (occurring between 3.4 ka to present) does not seem to have been well documented earlier. We propose a possible mechanism to explain this event. We identify representative elements which better capture the above events as compared to more commonly used elements.