A muted El Niño-like condition during late MIS 3

The evolutionary dynamics of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) over the last glacial period remains understudied, despite its potential in providing a “cold case” for climate sensitivity studies. Here, we investigate SE Asian-Pacific paleoclimate records to decipher dominant underlying mechanism that governed tropical hydrology during MIS 3. Our results suggest emergence Sunda Shelf likely altered atmospheric circulation pattern Southeast (SE) Asia and led realignment rainfall patterns between Thailand Indonesia period. We also propose long-term hydrological regime change region 3 was mainly influenced by an Niño-like mechanism. An intense condition strong aridity mid By late 3, enhanced seasonality dampened intensity conditions, thus, leading muted Asia. alternating warm wet summer months droughts winter favoured proliferation C4 plant types Northern from