The loess sequence of D olní V ěstonice, C zech R epublic: A new OSL ‐based chronology of the L ast C limatic C ycle

TheDolníVěstonice loess section in theCzechRepublic is well known for its high‐resolution loess–palaeosol sequence of the last interglacial–glacial climatic cycle (UpperPleistocene). The loess section is situated in a climatic transition zone between oceanic and continental climates and is therefore of great value in reconstructing past regional climate conditions and their interaction with climate systems, in particular that of theNorthAtlantic. Based on a combination of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages, stratigraphic field observations and magnetic susceptibility measurements, a chrono‐climatic interpretation of theDolníVěstonice loess section is presented. To establish a reliable Upper Pleistocene chronology, a quartzOSLapproach was applied for equivalent dose (De) determination. Monomineralic quartz extracts of three distinct grain sizes, fine (4–11 μm), middle (38–63 μm) and coarse (90–200 μm), were used and compared. Within error limits, the calculatedOSLages are the same for the different grain sizes, and theOSLages are in stratigraphic order. The establishedOSLchronology is in agreement with a Weichselian litho‐ and pedostratigraphy. TheDolníVěstonice loess section is characterized by four pedosedimentary subsequences. At the base of the profile, subsequenceIis characterized by a distinctEarlyGlacial soil complex,OSL‐dated toc. 110 to 70 ka, representing one of the most complete records of environmental change in the European loess belt. SubsequenceIIis allocated to theLowerPleniglacial and is characterized by laminated sandy loess.MiddlePleniglacial subsequenceIIIis represented by a brown soil complex, and is followed by the uppermost subsequenceIV, characterized by a thick body of laminated sandy loess, indicating strong wind activity and a high sedimentation rate of more than ∼1 mm a−1during the Upper Pleniglacial. According to theOSLchronology, as well as to the sedimentological and palaeopedological investigations, it is likely that the sequence at Dolní Věstonice has recorded most of the climatic events expressed in theNGRIPδ18Oreference record between 110 and 70 ka.