Global aridity synthesis for the last 60 000 years

Abstract. A compilation of published literature on the dust content in terrestrial and marine sediment cores are synchronised on the basis of pollen data and speleothem growth phases within GICC05 age constrain. Based on that, aridity patterns for ten key areas in the global climate system are reconstructed over the past 60 000 years. These records have different time resolutions and rely on different dating methods, thus of various types of stratigraphy. Nevertheless, all regions show humid conditions during the early MIS3 and early Holocene, but not always of the same timing. Such discrepancies have been interpreted as regional effects while also due to stratigraphical uncertainties. In comparison, the MIS2 interval becomes arid in all northern hemisphere records, but the peak arid conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) differ in duration and intensity among regions. In addition, we also make comparisons between the aridity synthesis to modelling results using a Global Climate Model (GCM). Indeed, both lines of evidence show great agreement for the Holocene, LGM and for the late MIS intervals.