Late Quaternary Paleoclimate in the Eastern Mediterranean Region from Stable Isotope Analysis of Speleothems at Soreq Cave, Israel

Abstract

The eastern Mediterranean continental paleoclimate during the past 25,000 years was determined by a high-resolution petrographic, stable isotopic, and age study of speleothems from Soreq Cave, Israel. δ¹⁸O–δ¹³C trends indicate that all speleothems older than 7000 yr formed under conditions that differ from those of today. The period from 25,000 to 17,000 yr B.P. was characterized by the highest δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values, which indicate deposition at temperatures of 12°–16°C, annual rainfall of 300–450 mm, and vegetation typical of a mixed C₃–C₄type. From 17,000 to 10,000 yr B.P. (deglaciation in northern Europe) δ¹⁸O values dropped progressively, correlative with warming (2°–3°C) and a gradual increase in precipitation. A simultaneous decrease in δ¹³C gives a range expected for C₃-type vegetation. This period also shows significant δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C “spikes” which are correlatable with global events (e.g., Heinrich events and the Younger Dryas Stade). The speleothems that grew between 10,000 and 7000 yr B.P. have a unique petrography showing irregular thin laminae of various colors and much detritus. They have the lowest δ¹⁸O (corresponding to ∼1000 mm rain) coupled with the highest δ¹³C (caused by flooding events which stripped the soil cover). From 7000 to 1000 yr B.P. conditions became closer to those of today. This study demonstrates that global events which were recognized in Northern Europe and North Africa are also evident in the eastern Mediterranean and are reflected principally by large changes in the rainfall rate.