Climate Variability in Northwest Greece During the Last Interglacial

Abstract

Isotopic and palynological data over the period 115,000 to 135,000 years ago from a lacustrine sequence in northwest Greece show distinct oscillations during the intervals leading into and out of the full interglacial, whereas in between, changes were less pronounced but included a brief fluctuation. After peak interglacial conditions, temperatures decreased and precipitation increased in a series of steps. These data suggest that Eemian climate variability was similar to that of the Holocene both in terms of amplitude and, possibly, of pacing.