Correlation of Greenland ice-core isotope profiles and the terrestrial record of the Alpine Rhine glacier for the period 32–15 ka

Abstract. We present a newly extended stratigraphic subdivision of the Greenland NGRIP, GRIP and GISP2 ice cores for the period 32–15 ka. Our classification emphasizes the multiscale nature of the climatic oscillations. Spectral trend analysis of isotopic data supports this interpretation. We compare this time series with the stratigraphy of the last major Pleistocene (Weichselian, Würmian) glaciation in the area of the Rhine glacier (Germany and Austria) as chronicled by a detailed inventory of landforms and deposits, dated in part with ¹⁴C analyses, and their interpretation in terms of climate change. Both time series show a major climatic oscillation, consisting of a colder period (glaciation) followed by a warmer period (deglaciation). The available dates allow the time of change, at 23.4 ka, to be correlated between the two. Pattern analysis clearly indicates that higher-order oscillations were superimposed on the major oscillation in both areas, emphasizing the multiscale nature of the underlying pattern of climate change. The correlation between the two areas is sufficiently good to propose that the pattern of climate change was synchronous (within the available time resolution) between Greenland and the Rhine glacier area. Comparison of our results with other high resolution climate proxies is expected to further improve the understanding of the climate changes during the Late Weichselian.