Han-sur-Lesse Cave, Belgium 125-106ka Stalagmite Stable Isotope Data Vansteenberge, S.; Verheyden, S.; Cheng, H.; Edwards, R.L.; Keppens, E.; Claeys, P. Vansteenberge, S. Verheyden, S. Cheng, H. Edwards, R.L. Keppens, E. Claeys, P. earth science/paleoclimate/speleothems (delta 18O,calcium carbonate,null,per mil VPDB,null,speleothems,raw,isotope ratio mass spectrometry,N,null) earth science/paleoclimate/speleothems (age,null,null,calendar kiloyear before present,null,speleothems,null,null,N,null) earth science/paleoclimate/speleothems (delta 13C,calcium carbonate,null,per mil VPDB,null,speleothems,raw,isotope ratio mass spectrometry,N,null) earth science/paleoclimate/speleothems earth science/paleoclimate/speleothems (Han-sur-Lesse Cave>LATITUDE 50.117475>LONGITUDE 5.192653) The last interglacial serves as an excellent time interval for studying climate dynamics during past warm periods. Speleothems have been successfully used for reconstructing the paleoclimate of last interglacial continental Europe. However, all previously investigated speleothems are restricted to southern Europe or the Alps, leaving large parts of northwestern Europe undocumented. To better understand regional climate changes over the past, a larger spatial coverage of European last interglacial continental records is essential, and speleothems, because of their ability to obtain excellent chronologies, can provide a major contribution. Here, we present new, high-resolution data from a stalagmite (Han-9) obtained from the Han-sur-Lesse Cave in Belgium. Han-9 formed between 125.3 and ~ 97 ka, with interruptions of growth occurring at 117.3-112.9 and 106.6-103.6 ka. The speleothem was investigated for its growth, morphology and stable isotope (d13C and d18O) composition. The speleothem started growing relatively late within the last interglacial, at 125.3 ka, as other European continental archives suggest that Eemian optimum conditions were already present during that time. It appears that the initiation of Han-9 growth is caused by an increase in moisture availability, linked to wetter conditions around 125.3 ka. The d13C and d18O proxies indicate a period of relatively stable conditions after 125.3 ka; however, at 120 ka the speleothem d18O registered the first signs of regionally changing climate conditions, being a modification of ocean source d18O linked to an increase in ice volume towards the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e-5d transition. At 117.5 ka, drastic vegetation changes are recorded by Han-9 d13C immediately followed by a cessation of speleothem growth at 117.3 ka, suggesting a transition to significantly dryer conditions. The Han-9 record covering the early Weichselian displays larger amplitudes in both isotope proxies and changes in stalagmite morphology, evidencing increased variability compared to the Eemian. Stadials that appear to be analogous to those in Greenland are recognized in Han-9, and the chronology is consistent with other European (speleothem) records. Greenland Stadial 25 is reflected as a cold/dry period within Han-9 stable isotope proxies, and the second interruption in speleothem growth occurs simultaneously with Greenland Stadial 24. STUDY NOTES: Stable isotope (d18O and d13C) data from stalagmite Han-9, growth phase 1 and 2 (125-106ka), collected in Han-sur-Lesse Cave, Belgium. NCDC-Paleoclimatology https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/data-access/paleoclimatology-data - Bauer Bruce Investigator : Vansteenberge, S. Investigator : Verheyden, S. Investigator : Cheng, H. Investigator : Edwards, R.L. Investigator : Keppens, E. Investigator : Claeys, P. 2016-07-18 ONLINE Files online, ASCII https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/study/20345 https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleo/speleothem/europe/belgium/han-sur-lesse2016.txt https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleo/speleothem/europe/belgium/han-sur-lesse2016.txt English https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/study/20345 https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleo/speleothem/europe/belgium/han-sur-lesse2016.txt Stef Vansteenberge, Sophie Verheyden, Hai Cheng, R. Lawrence Edwards, Eddy Keppens, and Philippe Claeys2016Paleoclimate in continental northwestern Europe during the Eemian and early Weichselian (125-97 ka): insights from a Belgian speleothemClimate of the Past1271445-145810.5194/cp-12-1445-2016http://www.clim-past.net/12/1445/2016/cp-12-1445-2016.html START YEAR: 125343 cal yr BP * END YEAR: 106500 cal yr BP 5.192653 50.117475 5.192653 50.117475