The Holocene-Younger Dryas Transition Recorded at Summit, Greenland

Authors

Kendrick C. Taylor, University of Nevada
Paul A. Mayewski, University of Maine
R. B. Alley, The Pennsylvania State University
E. J. Brook, Washington State University
Anthony J. Gow, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
Pieter M. Grootes, University of Washington
Debra A. Meese, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
E. S. Saltzman, University of Miami
J. P. Severinghaus, University of Rhode Island
Mark S. Twickler, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow
J. W. C. White, University of Colorado
Sallie I. Whitlow, University of New Hampshire, Durham
G. A. Zielinski, University of New Hampshire, Durham

Abstract

Analysis of ice from Dye-3, Greenland, has demonstrated that the transition between the Younger Dryas and Holocene climate periods occurred over a 40-year period. A near annually resolved, multiparameter record of the transition recorded in the GISP2 core from Summit, Greenland, shows that most of the transition occurred in a series of steps with durations of about 5 years. Some climate proxies associated with mid-latitude sources appear to have changed about 15 years before climate proxies associated with more northern regions. Changes in atmospheric water vapor are likely to have played a large role in the climate transition.

Department

Earth Systems Research Center

Publication Date

10-31-1997

Journal Title

Science

Publisher

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.278.5339.825

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

Taylor, K. C. et al (1997). The Holocene-Younger Dryas Transition Recorded at Summit, Greenland. Science, 278(5339), 825-827. doi:10.1126/science.278.5339.825