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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Cold Air Cave, South Africa 350Yr Isotope Data and Temperature Reconstruction

browse graphicPaleoclimatology - Speleothem
This archived Paleoclimatology Study is available from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), under the World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology. The associated NCEI study type is Cave. The data include parameters of climate reconstructions|speleothems with a geographic location of South Africa, Southern Africa. The time period coverage is from 315 to -46 in calendar years before present (BP). See metadata information for parameter and study location details. Please cite this study when using the data.
  • Cite as: Sundqvist, H.; Holmgren, K.; Fohlmeister, J.; Zhang, Q.; Bar-Matthews, M.; Spötl, C.; Körnich, H. (2013-05-06): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Cold Air Cave, South Africa 350Yr Isotope Data and Temperature Reconstruction. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/tcd8-9s57. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
noaa-cave-14349
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Data Center Contact
NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology
828-271-4800
paleo@noaa.gov
Coverage Description Date Range: 1635 CE to 1996 CE; Date Range: 315 cal yr BP to -46 cal yr BP;
Time Period 1635 to 1996
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: 29.11
East: 29.11
South: -24.02
North: -24.02
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Evidence of a large cooling between 1690 and 1740 AD in southern Africa
    • Associated Reference published 2013
      H.S. Sundqvist, K. Holmgren, J. Fohlmeister, Q. Zhang, M. Bar Matthews, C. Spötl, and H. Körnich, 2013: Evidence of a large cooling between 1690 and 1740 AD in southern Africa. Scientific Reports, 3, , 10.1038/srep01767
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2013-05-06
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Data update frequency not available
Supplemental Information
STUDY NOTES: This dataset contains 350-year stalagmite stable isotope data and 5-yr smoothed annual mean temperature reconstruction (deviation from 1961-90 mean, ± 2std error = 0.578082397 deg C) from Cold Air Cave in South Africa.
ABSTRACT SUPPLIED BY ORIGINATOR: A 350-year-long, well-dated d18O stalagmite record from the summer rainfall region in South Africa is positively correlated with regional air surface temperatures at interannual time scales. The coldest period documented in this record occurred between 1690 and 1740, slightly lagging the Maunder Minimum (1645-1710). A temperature reconstruction, based on the correlation between regional surface temperatures and the stalagmite d18O variations, indicates that parts of this period could have been as much as 1.4°C colder than today. Significant cycles of 22, 11 and 4.8 years demonstrate that the solar magnetic and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle could be important drivers of multidecadal to interannual climate variability in this region. The observation that the most important driver of stalagmite d18O on interannual time scales from this subtropical region is regional surface temperature cautions against deterministic interpretations of d18O variations in low-latitude stalagmites as mainly driven by the amount of precipitation.
Purpose Records of past temperature, precipitation, and other aspects of climate derived from mineral deposits found in caves. Parameter keywords describe what was measured in this dataset. Additional summary information can be found in the abstracts of papers listed in the dataset citations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Sundqvist, H.; Holmgren, K.; Fohlmeister, J.; Zhang, Q.; Bar-Matthews, M.; Spötl, C.; Körnich, H. (2013-05-06): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Cold Air Cave, South Africa 350Yr Isotope Data and Temperature Reconstruction. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/tcd8-9s57. Accessed [date].
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Cited Authors
  • Sundqvist, H.
  • Holmgren, K.
  • Fohlmeister, J.
  • Zhang, Q.
  • Bar-Matthews, M.
  • Spötl, C.
  • Körnich, H.
Originators
  • Sundqvist, H.
  • Holmgren, K.
  • Fohlmeister, J.
  • Zhang, Q.
  • Bar-Matthews, M.
  • Spötl, C.
  • Körnich, H.
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Land Records > Cave Deposits
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Speleothems
  • Earth Science > Paleoclimate > Land Records > Cave Deposits
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems > carbon isotopes
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems > oxygen isotopes
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems > other
  • Air Temperature Reconstruction
  • Little Ice Age (LIA)
Paleoenvironmental Standard Terms (PaST) Thesaurus
  • What: surface air temperature; Material: delta 18O
  • What: delta 18O; Material: calcium carbonate
  • What: age; Material: null
  • What: depth; Material: null
  • What: delta 13C; Material: calcium carbonate
  • What: age; Material: null
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords
  • Continent > Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Cold Air Cave > LATITUDE -24.02 > LONGITUDE 29.11
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Sundqvist, H.; Holmgren, K.; Fohlmeister, J.; Zhang, Q.; Bar-Matthews, M.; Spötl, C.; Körnich, H. (2013-05-06): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Cold Air Cave, South Africa 350Yr Isotope Data and Temperature Reconstruction. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/tcd8-9s57. Accessed [date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
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  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Last Modified: 2023-11-27
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