Eolianite-Paleosol-Sequences in Fuerteventura and Central Spain -Stadial-Interstadial shifts and climatic differences

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Dominik Faust; Professor Dr. Ludwig Zöller
• Subject Area: Physical Geography
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 251036752

Two already by DFG funded projects about dune-paleosol-sequences in Fuerteventura and about Loess-Paleosol-sequences in Central Spain provided basic knowledge for the understanding of both systems. Dune-paleosol-sequences of Fuerteventura seem to deliver detailed information concerning the last glacial-interglacial-cycle. In Central Spain we detected for the first time mighty loess sequences with intercalated paleosols of more than 8 meters that are sampled and analyzed. Preliminary results show that these loess-paleosol-sequences have been formed during the last glacial and that detailed datings are still missing. One aim is to deliver a high resolution chronology over the last 150 ka. In Fuerteventura our results show that dune-paleosol sequences have been formed as well during the last glacial, however reaching more back in time. Therefore we see a good potential for both settings to clear up in more detail and for the first time stadial-interstadial shifts during the last glacial in terms of paleoenvironment and paleoclimate. A more precise chronological resolution is one big challenge of this project as we tend to test new luminescence approaches for reaching in older time slices especially in Fuerteventura. Quarz grains of the loess sediment in Central Spain provide good luminescence behavior that will help to improve the chronological precision. In this project we aim to reconstruct paleoenvironmental and climate change during stadial and interstadial times of the last glacial with special emphasize on high chronological resolution. The comparison of both settings will help to understand climatic gradients from Central Spain to the Canary Islands during the last glacial. Our preliminary results suggest that during the last glacial Fuerteventura underwent more humid conditions whereas Central Spain seems to have passed more arid conditions at the same time. The comparison of both settings in terms of paleoenvironmental and climate change during stadial and interstadial phases will widen our knowledge about relevant climatic parameters and their morphodynamic effects.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants