Holocene environmental changes inferred from biological and sedimentological proxies in a high elevation Great Basin lake in the northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada, USA

David B. Wahl; Scott W. Starratt; Lysanna Anderson; Jennifer E. Kusler; Christopher C. Fuller; Jason A. Addison; Elmira Wan

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2015.03.026

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Holocene environmental changes inferred from biological and sedimentological proxies in a high elevation Great Basin lake in the northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada, USA

David B. Wahl·Scott W. Starratt·Lysanna Anderson·Jennifer E. Kusler·Christopher C. Fuller·Jason A. Addison·Elmira Wan

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Abstract

Multi-proxy analyses were conducted on a sediment core from Favre Lake, a high elevation cirque lake in the northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada, and provide a ca. 7600 year record of local and regional environmental change. Data indicate that lake levels were lower from 7600-5750 cal yr BP, when local climate was warmer and/or drier than today. Effective moisture increased after 5750 cal yr BP and remained relatively wet, and possibly cooler, until ca. 3750 cal yr BP. Results indicate generally dry conditions but also enhanced climatic variability from 3750-1750 cal yr BP, after which effective moisture increased. The timing of major changes in the Favre Lake proxy data are roughly coeval and in phase with those recorded in several paleoclimate studies across the Great Basin, suggesting regional climatic controls on local conditions and similar responses at high and low altitudes.

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Quaternary International Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 39.97291055131899° to 41.10212132036491° latitude; -115.67504882812501° to -115.00762939453125° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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David B. Wahl, Scott W. Starratt, Lysanna Anderson, Jennifer E. Kusler, Christopher C. Fuller, Jason A. Addison, Elmira Wan. 2015. Holocene environmental changes inferred from biological and sedimentological proxies in a high elevation Great Basin lake in the northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada, USA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.03.026

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