Evidence for strong relations between the upper Tagus loess formation (central Iberia) and the marine atmosphere off the Iberian margin during the last glacial period

Abstract During glacial times, the North Atlantic region was affected by serious climate changes corresponding to Dansgaard-Oeschger cycles that were linked dramatic shifts in sea temperature and moisture transfer continents. However, considerable efforts are still needed understand effects of these on terrestrial environments. In this context, Iberian Peninsula is particularly interesting because its close proximity Atlantic, although interior lacks paleoenvironmental information so far suitable archives rare. Here we provide an accurate impression last environmental developments central Iberia based comprehensive investigations using upper Tagus loess record. A multi-proxy approach revealed phases formation during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 (and MIS 3) utmost aridity, coldness, highest wind strengths line with most intense Greenland stadials also including Heinrich Events 3–1. Lack deposition global maximum (LGM) suggests milder conditions, which agrees less-cold surface temperatures (SST) off margin. Our results demonstrate geomorphological system behavior highly sensitive SST fluctuations, thus enabling us reconstruct a detailed hydrological model relation marine–atmospheric circulation patterns.