The Mediterranean region is highly sensitive to the current global warming, which has a strong influence on hydroclimates and the occurrence of extreme weather events. However, global climatic perturbations lead to different local responses of rainfall variability, which are as yet not well understood. For instance, sediment records from the Dead Sea and Lake Van revealed the occurrence of contrasting hydroclimatic signals over the eastern Mediterranean during past warming intervals. 

We aim here to provide a detailed and integrated comparison between these two locations during the transition from the penultimate glaciation to the last interglacial, which was the warmest interglacial of the last 800 kyr. The laminated lacustrine sediments of the long Dead Sea ICDP drilling Site 5017-1 and Lake Van drilling Site 5034-1 (Ahlat Ridge) provide unique archives to study the impact of global warming on hydroclimates at high temporal resolution. We will combine sedimentological and geochemical analyses to trace variations in atmospheric circulation, water-vapor transport, and seasonal rainfall patterns. The decadal to centennial reconstruction proposed here will provide key insights into precipitation regimes during warming of the penultimate glaciation to the last interglacial that hold clues to anticipate the future. 

In addition, detailed chronostratigraphic correlation of these record will be performed using the unique annually-resolved (varve) age determination as well as the identification of temporal markers such as volcanic ash deposits (called tephra layers) that will allow regional synchronisation. These detailed synoptic reconstructions will deliver a comprehensive picture of past climatic dynamics and global linkages over the eastern Mediterranean during one of the strongest warming intervals of the Quaternary. 

Previous projects in the ICDP Dead Sea Deep Drilling Program: PRO-HYDRO, PALEX