Holocene Climate in the Northern Great Plains Inferred from Sediment Stratigraphy, Stable Isotopes, Carbonate Geochemistry, Diatoms, and Pollen at Moon Lake, North Dakota

Seismic stratigraphy, sedimentary facies, pollen stratigraphy, diatom-inferred salinity, stable isotope (δ 18 O and δ 13 C), and chemical composition (Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca) of authigenic carbonates from Moon Lake cores provide a congruent Holocene record of effective moisture for the eastern Northern Great Plains. Between 11,700 and 9500 14 C yr B.P., the climate was cool and moist. A gradual decrease in effective moisture occurred between 9500 and 7100 14 C yr B.P. A change at about 7100 14 C yr B.P. inaugurated the most arid period during the Holocene. Between 7100 and 4000 14 C yr B.P., three arid phases occurred at 6600–6200 14 C yr B.P., 5400–5200 14 C yr B.P., and 4800–4600 14 C yr B.P. Effective…