Inconsistent Hydroclimate Responses in Different Parts of the Asian Monsoon Region during Heinrich Stadials

Abstract

AbstractHeinrich (H) events are significant millennial climatic events that occurred during the last glacial period. Their footprints exited most parts of the global world, including the Asian monsoon (AM) region. However, the internal hydroclimatic characteristics of the AM system and their link to the external forcing during the H stadials are not fully understood. This study reconstructed monsoon precipitation changes during 33,000-12,500 a BP using grain size characteristics, elementary ratios, and pollen percentages from sediments of a crater lake (Tianchi Lake) in northeastern China. The H1 ~ H3 events are identified by high values of median grain size (MGS) and low values of Fe/Mn ratios and pollen percentages. By comparison with other records in the AM region, we found that H events in monsoon precipitation records were more obvious in the relatively higher-latitude region than in the lower-latitude sites. These inconsistent responses within the AM region during the H stadials might be attributed to both the high- and low-latitude climate processes.