Holocene record of precipitation seasonality from lake calcite δ18O in the central Rocky Mountains, United States

Research Article| March 01, 2011 Holocene record of precipitation seasonality from lake calcite δ18O in the central Rocky Mountains, United States Lesleigh Anderson Lesleigh Anderson * U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center Box 25046, MS-980, Denver, Colorado 80225, USA *E-mail: land@usgs.gov. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2011) 39 (3): 211–214. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31575.1 Article history received: 15 Jul 2010 rev-recd: 27 Sep 2010 accepted: 06 Oct 2010 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Lesleigh Anderson; Holocene record of precipitation seasonality from lake calcite δ18O in the central Rocky Mountains, United States. Geology 2011;; 39 (3): 211–214. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G31575.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A context for recent hydroclimatic extremes and variability is provided by a ∼10 k.y. sediment carbonate oxygen isotope (δ18O) record at 5–100 yr resolution from Bison Lake, 3255 m above sea level, in northwestern Colorado (United States). Winter precipitation is the primary water source for the alpine headwater lake in the Upper Colorado River Basin and lake water δ18O measurements reflect seasonal variations in precipitation δ18O. Holocene lake water δ18O variations are inferred from endogenic sedimentary calcite δ18O based on comparisons with historic watershed discharge records and tree-ring reconstructions. Drought periods (i.e., drier winters and/or a more rain-dominated seasonal precipitation balance) generally correspond with higher calcite δ18O values, and vice-versa. Early to middle Holocene δ18O values are higher, implying a rain-dominated seasonal precipitation balance. Lower, more variable δ18O values after ca. 3500 yr ago indicate a snow-dominated but more seasonally variable precipitation balance. The middle to late Holocene δ18O record corresponds with records of El Niño Southern Oscillation intensification that supports a teleconnection between Rocky Mountain climate and North Pacific sea-surface temperatures at decade to century time scales. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.