Pleistocene Precipitation Changes Using O and C Isotopes on a Speleothem from the Majuanas Cave System, Cuba

Abstract

A stalagmite was collected in the Salón de la Permencia of the Majaguas Cave, that is a part of the Majaguas-Cantera Cave System in Cuba. The use of this stalagmite as a natural climate archive is advantageous not only because stalagmites can record continuous episodes of growth that are thousands of years in duration but also because they are easily and reliably dated, using U/Th dating methods. With this method, the stalagmite was reliably dated to 100 ka and was still active when removed from the cave for analysis. The stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon from this stalagmite from Western Cuba presents information of significant influencing factors on Caribbean precipitation records, and past climatic events during the Pleistocene. Due to the lack of high- resolution records for Western Cuba, this study verifies and adds to our knowledge of past climate variability for the Cuban region and the Caribbean as a whole. The δ18O data in MCS-01 shows a pattern that is very similar to the D-O and Heinrich events clearly recorded in the NGRIP ice core, especially at ~82ka and between 78-70ka. This study provides a continuous precipitation record for the area during the Pleistocene, allowing a greater understanding of the climate drivers that have had an impact on past precipitation patterns in this region.