Abstract
Stable oxygen isotope ratios of ostracod valves in Late Glacial and Holocene sediments of core AS 92-5 from deep lake Ammersee (southern Germany) reflect variations of mean oxygen isotope ratios in past atmospheric precipitation. The record reconfirms the strong similarity of climate evolution in Europe and Greenland during the last deglaciation. For the first time in Europe, we find a 200-year-long negative δ18O-excursion, which is contemporaneous with the strongest negative δ18O-excursion in the Greenland ice around 8.2 ky before present. The 8.2 ky isotopic event on both sides of the North Atlantic ocean is interpreted as a cold period, most probably induced by a perturbation of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation. We discuss two possible triggering mechanisms: (1) weak forcing (as proposed by Alley et al.), and (2) forcing by a strong and sudden freshwater pulse from the collapse of the Hudson Ice Dome.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 27 May 1997 / Accepted: 21 July 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
von Grafenstein, U., Erlenkeuser, H., Müller, J. et al. The cold event 8200 years ago documented in oxygen isotope records of precipitation in Europe and Greenland. Climate Dynamics 14, 73–81 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003820050210
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003820050210