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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Anjohibe Cave, Madagascar 370 - 1300 CE Stalagmite MA3 Stable Isotope Data

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 speleothems with a geographic location of Madagascar. The time period coverage is from 1580 to 650 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: Voarintsoa, N.R.G.; Wang, L.; Railsback, L.B.; Brook, G.A.; Liang, F.; Cheng, H.; Edwards, R.L. (2017-10-15): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Anjohibe Cave, Madagascar 370 - 1300 CE Stalagmite MA3 Stable Isotope Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/yv46-tv48. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
noaa-cave-22910
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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: 370 CE to 1300 CE; Date Range: 1580 cal yr BP to 650 cal yr BP;
Time Period 370 to 1300
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: 46.88
East: 46.88
South: -15.53
North: -15.53
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Multiple proxy analyses of a U/Th-dated stalagmite to reconstruct paleoenvironmental changes in northwestern Madagascar between 370 CE and 1300 CE
    • Associated Reference published 2017
      Ny Riavo G. Voarintsoa, Lixin Wang, L. Bruce Railsback, George A. Brook, Fuyuan Liang, Hai Cheng, R. Lawrence Edwards, 2017: Multiple proxy analyses of a U/Th-dated stalagmite to reconstruct paleoenvironmental changes in northwestern Madagascar between 370 CE and 1300 CE. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 469, 138-155, 10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.01.003
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2017-10-15
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: Stalagmite stable isotope (d18O and d13C) data from Anjohibe Cave, Madagascar for 370 - 1300 CE.
ABSTRACT SUPPLIED BY ORIGINATOR: The timing and causes of paleoenvironmental changes in Madagascar have been debated, specifically in respect to human activity following the settlement in the late Holocene. Here we present d18O, d13C, layer-bounding surfaces, layer-specific width, mineralogy, and distribution of macroholes from Stalagmite MA3 from Anjohibe Cave to provide a detailed understanding of the paleoenvironmental changes in northwestern Madagascar between 370 CE and 1300 CE. The stable isotope records of Stalagmite MA3 are compared with stable isotope records of Stalagmites ANJ94-5 and MA2. Detailed examination of the proxies suggests three distinct intervals of changes. (1) Prior to 795 CE, changes in vegetation seem to have responded to changes in monsoonal rainfall linked to the relative position of the ITCZ. The period between ca. 755 CE and 795 was the driest, and the Stalagmite MA3 record is consistent with sediment records (pollen and lithology) from Lake Mitsinjo, northwestern Madagascar, and with sediment records (fossil pollen and charcoal) from Sainte Luce, southeastern Madagascar. (2) Between 795 CE and 870, the environmental conditions became more favorable, when vegetation recovered from the driest interval. The new conditions must have been suitable for community development in the region as suggested by archaeological evidence around Lake Mitsinjo and the Boeny region, and the establishment of the stone town of Mahilaka. (3) After 870 CE, a gradational change in plant communities from C3 to C4 marks the record until around 1130 CE, after which vegetation was dominated by C4 plants. This change cannot be explained by climate alone, as there is no clear relationship in the climate-sensitive proxies. Instead, it could have been caused by "Tavy", a variety of "swidden" agriculture practiced in the region.
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: Voarintsoa, N.R.G.; Wang, L.; Railsback, L.B.; Brook, G.A.; Liang, F.; Cheng, H.; Edwards, R.L. (2017-10-15): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Anjohibe Cave, Madagascar 370 - 1300 CE Stalagmite MA3 Stable Isotope Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/yv46-tv48. 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
  • Voarintsoa, N.R.G.
  • Wang, L.
  • Railsback, L.B.
  • Brook, G.A.
  • Liang, F.
  • Cheng, H.
  • Edwards, R.L.
Originators
  • Voarintsoa, N.R.G.
  • Wang, L.
  • Railsback, L.B.
  • Brook, G.A.
  • Liang, F.
  • Cheng, H.
  • Edwards, R.L.
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 > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems > carbon isotopes
  • earth science > paleoclimate > speleothems > oxygen isotopes
Paleoenvironmental Standard Terms (PaST) Thesaurus
  • What: notes; Material: null
  • What: delta 18O; Material: calcium carbonate
  • What: sample identification; Material: null
  • What: age; Material: null
  • What: age; Material: null
  • What: delta 13C; Material: calcium carbonate
  • What: age; Material: null
  • What: delta 18O; Material: calcium carbonate
  • What: depth; Material: null
  • What: age; Material: null
  • What: delta 13C; Material: calcium carbonate
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
  • Ocean > Indian Ocean > Madagascar > Anjohibe Cave > LATITUDE -15.53 > LONGITUDE 46.88
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Voarintsoa, N.R.G.; Wang, L.; Railsback, L.B.; Brook, G.A.; Liang, F.; Cheng, H.; Edwards, R.L. (2017-10-15): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Anjohibe Cave, Madagascar 370 - 1300 CE Stalagmite MA3 Stable Isotope Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/yv46-tv48. 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.
  • None
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Last Modified: 2023-09-01
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