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Exceptional warmth and climate instability occurred in the European Alps during the Last Interglacial period

Earth Sciences

Exceptional warmth and climate instability occurred in the European Alps during the Last Interglacial period

P. S. Wilcox, C. Honiat, et al.

This groundbreaking research by Paul S. Wilcox, Charlotte Honiat, Martin Trüssel, R. Lawrence Edwards, and Christoph Spötl reveals astonishing insights into the Swiss Alps' climate during the Last Interglacial period, indicating temperatures that were up to 4.3 °C warmer than in recent decades, alongside a surprising abrupt cooling event. Explore the remarkable implications for our future climate scenarios.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
This study reconstructs temperatures in the Swiss Alps during the Last Interglacial period (LIG, ~129,000–116,000 years ago) using hydrogen isotopes from fluid inclusions in precisely dated speleothems. The findings reveal temperatures up to 4.3 °C warmer than the 1971–1990 reference period, with climate instability, including an abrupt cooling event around 125,500 years ago. Higher-elevation areas show greater susceptibility to warming, suggesting potential implications for future climate scenarios.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Dec 08, 2020
Authors
Paul S. Wilcox, Charlotte Honiat, Martin Trüssel, R. Lawrence Edwards, Christoph Spötl
Tags
Swiss Alps
Last Interglacial
climate change
speleoethms
hydrogen isotopes
temperature reconstruction
climate instability

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