High resolution stable isotope analysis of a Tasmanian speleothem.

Abstract

High resolution oxygen and carbon isotope analyses of part of a uniform diameter stalagmite from a cave in northern Tasmania have been used to study the climatic transition from stadial to interstadial conditions during the early Last Glacial (109-95 ka). A significant change in oxygen isotope values suggests that temperature warmed rapidly by approximately 2°-3°C between 100 and 97 ka. A decrease in carbon isotope values berween I 0 I and 98 ka indicates that moisture availability was increasing slightly in advance of rising temperature.