ENSO reconstructions over the past 60 ka using giant clams (Tridacna sp.) from Papua New Guinea

Robin Driscoll, Mary Elliot, Tom Russon, Kevin Welsh, Yusuke Yokoyama, Alexander Tudhope

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

We present 12 seasonally resolved δ18O profiles of giant clams (Tridacna sp.) from the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, spanning discrete periods of time (9–38 years) over the past 60 ka. The interannual anomaly time series of these shells are used to reconstruct interannual variability which can predominantly be attributed in the modern climate to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in this region. We have found a significant reduction in interannual δ18O variance during the early Holocene, whereas during Marine Isotope Stage 3 there were at least some periods with variance not significantly different to the twentieth century. We show that ENSO variability seen during the late twentieth century is rare but not unprecedented within glacial climates.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6819-6825
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume41
Issue number19
Early online date8 Oct 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Oct 2014

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