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Stratigraphy, depositional environments and level reconstruction of the last interglacial Lake Samra in the Dead Sea basin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

N. Waldmann ,
M. Stein ,
D. Ariztegui  and
A. Starinsky
N. Waldmann*
Affiliation:
The Institute of Earth Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, 91904-Jerusalem, Israel
M. Stein
Affiliation:
The Geological Survey of Israel, 30 Malkhei Yisrael St., 95501-Jerusalem, Israel
D. Ariztegui
Affiliation:
Earth Sciences Section, University of Geneva, Rue des Maraichers 13, 1205-Geneva, Switzerland
A. Starinsky
Affiliation:
The Institute of Earth Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, 91904-Jerusalem, Israel
*
⁎Corresponding author. Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007-Bergen, Norway.

E-mail address:nicolas.waldmann@geo.uib.no (N. Waldmann).

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Abstract

In this paper we describe the stratigraphy and sediments deposited in Lake Samra that occupied the Dead Sea basin between ∼ 135 and 75 ka. This information is combined with U/Th dating of primary aragonites in order to estimate a relative lake-level curve that serves as a regional paleohydrological monitor. The lake stood at an elevation of ∼ 340 m below mean sea level (MSL) during most of the last interglacial. This level is relatively higher than the average Holocene Dead Sea (∼ 400 ± 30 m below MSL). At ∼ 120 and ∼ 85 ka, Lake Samra rose to ∼ 320 m below MSL while it dropped to levels lower than ∼ 380 m below MSL at ∼ 135 and ∼ 75 ka, reflecting arid conditions in the drainage area. Lowstands are correlated with warm intervals in the Northern Hemisphere, while minor lake rises are probably related to cold episodes during MIS 5b and MIS 5d. Similar climate relationships are documented for the last glacial highstand Lake Lisan and the lowstand Holocene Dead Sea. Yet, the dominance of detrital calcites and precipitation of travertines in the Dead Sea basin during the last interglacial interval suggest intense pluvial conditions and possible contribution of southern sources of wetness to the region.

Keywords

Last interglacialDead Sea basinLacustrine depositional environmentsPaleoclimatePaleolimnologySequence stratigraphyLake levelSedimentary basins
Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 72 , Issue 1 , July 2009 , pp. 1 - 15
Copyright
University of Washington

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