Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Lake Silvaplana, Switzerland 765 Year Summer Temperature Reconstruction

browse graphicPaleoclimatology - Lake
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 Lake. The data include parameters of climate reconstructions|insect|paleolimnology with a geographic location of Switzerland, Western Europe. The time period coverage is from 769 to 5 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: Trachsel, M.; Grosjean, M.; Larocque-Tobler, I.; Schwikowski, M.; Blass, A.; Sturm, M. (2012-06-13): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Lake Silvaplana, Switzerland 765 Year Summer Temperature Reconstruction. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/h0ps-f845. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
noaa-lake-13015
Search Data
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • Native Format(s)
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
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: 1181 CE to 1945 CE; Date Range: 769 cal yr BP to 5 cal yr BP;
Time Period 1181 to 1945
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: 9.8
East: 9.8
South: 46.45
North: 46.45
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Quantitative summer temperature reconstruction derived from a combined biogenic Si and chironomid record from varved sediments of Lake Silvaplana(south-eastern Swiss Alps) back to AD 1177
    • Associated Reference published 2010
      Trachsel, M., M. Grosjean, I. Larocque-Tobler, M. Schwikowski, A. Blass, and M. Sturm, 2010: Quantitative summer temperature reconstruction derived from a combined biogenic Si and chironomid record from varved sediments of Lake Silvaplana(south-eastern Swiss Alps) back to AD 1177. Quaternary Science Reviews, 29, 2719-2730, 10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.06.026
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2012-06-13
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: 765 year summer (JJA) temperature reconstruction for the Swiss Alps based on biogenic silica and chironomids from Lake Silvaplana, Switzerland. Lake Silvaplana, Switzerland: 46°27'N, 9°48'E, 1800m
ABSTRACT SUPPLIED BY ORIGINATOR: High-resolution quantitative temperature records are needed for placing the recent warming into the context of long-term natural climate variability. In this study we present a quantitative high-resolution (9-year) summer (June-August) temperature reconstruction back to AD 1177 for the south-eastern Swiss Alps. This region is a good predictor for summer temperatures in large parts of western and central Europe. Our reconstruction is based on a combination of the high-frequency component of annually resolved biogenic silica (bSi flux) data and the low-frequency component of decadal chironomid-inferred temperatures from annually laminated well dated sediments (varves) from proglacial Lake Silvaplana, eastern Swiss Alps. For the calibration (period AD 1760-1949) we assess systematically the effects of six different regression methods (Type I regressions: Inverse Regression IR, Inverse Prediction IP, Generalised Least Squares GLS; Type II regressions: Major Axis MA, Ranged Major Axis RMA and Standard Major Axis SMA) with regard to the predicted amplitude and the calibration statistics such as root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP), reduction of error (RE) and coefficient of efficiency (CE). We found a trade-off in the regression model choice between a good representation of the amplitudeand good calibration statistics. The band-pass filtered bSi flux record is in close agreement both in the structure and the amplitude with two fully independent reconstructions spanning back to AD 1500 and AD 1177, respectively. All known pulses of negative volcanic forcing are represented as cold anomalies in the bSi flux record. Volcanic pulses combined with low solar activity (Spörer and Maunder Minimum) are seen as particularly cold episodes around AD 1460 and AD 1690. The combined chironomid and bSi flux temperature record (RMSEP = 0.57°C) is in good agreement with the glacier history of the Alps. The warmest (AD 1190) and coldest decades (17th century; 1680-1700) of our reconstruction coincide with the largest anomalies in the Alpine tree-ring based reconstruction; both records show in the decadal variability an amplitude of 2.8°C between AD 1180 and 1950, which is substantially higher than the amplitude of hemispheric reconstructions. Our record suggests that the current decade is slightly warmer than the warmest decade in the pre-industrial time of the past 800 years.
Purpose Records of past climate and environment derived from lake sediment records. 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: Trachsel, M.; Grosjean, M.; Larocque-Tobler, I.; Schwikowski, M.; Blass, A.; Sturm, M. (2012-06-13): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Lake Silvaplana, Switzerland 765 Year Summer Temperature Reconstruction. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/h0ps-f845. 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
  • Trachsel, M.
  • Grosjean, M.
  • Larocque-Tobler, I.
  • Schwikowski, M.
  • Blass, A.
  • Sturm, M.
Originators
  • Trachsel, M.
  • Grosjean, M.
  • Larocque-Tobler, I.
  • Schwikowski, M.
  • Blass, A.
  • Sturm, M.
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Ocean/Lake Records
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|insect|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|insect|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate reconstructions|insect|paleolimnology
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleolimnology > population abundance
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleolimnology > geochemistry
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleolimnology > reconstruction
  • Air Temperature Reconstruction
  • Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA)
Paleoenvironmental Standard Terms (PaST) Thesaurus
  • What: surface temperature; Material: midge assemblage
  • What: age; Material: null
  • What: surface temperature; Material: midge assemblage
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 > Europe > Western Europe > Switzerland > Lake Silvaplana > LATITUDE 46.45 > LONGITUDE 9.8
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Trachsel, M.; Grosjean, M.; Larocque-Tobler, I.; Schwikowski, M.; Blass, A.; Sturm, M. (2012-06-13): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Lake Silvaplana, Switzerland 765 Year Summer Temperature Reconstruction. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/h0ps-f845. 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
Fees
  • 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: 2023-09-01
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov