Insights Into Changing Interglacial Conditions in Subarctic Canada From MIS 11 Through MIS 5e From Seasonally Resolved Speleothem Records

Abstract

Abstract High‐resolution records from past interglacial climates help constrain future responses to global warming, yet are rare. Here, we produce seasonally resolved climate records from subarctic‐Canada using micron‐scale measurements of oxygen isotopes (δ18O) in speleothems with apparent annual growth bands from three interglacial periods—Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 11, 9, and 5e. We find 3‰ lower δ18O values during MIS 11 than MIS 5e, despite MIS 11 likely being warmer. We explore controls on high‐latitude speleothem δ18O and suggest low MIS 11 δ18O values reflect greater contribution of cold‐season precipitation to dripwater from longer annual ground thaw durations. Other potential influences include changes in precipitation source and/or increased fraction of cold‐season precipitation from diminished sea ice in MIS 11. Our study highlights the potential for high‐latitude speleothems to yield detailed isotopic records of Northern Hemisphere interglacial climates beyond the reach of Greenland ice cores and offers a framework for interpreting them.

Keywords

• paleoclimatology
• subarctic
• speleothems
• interglacials
• geochemistry
• terrestrial