A synthesis of stalagmite δ18O records from the Asian summer monsoon domain over the last millennium (670-2000 CE)

Dataset for “The spatiotemporal variability of Asian summer monsoon over the last millennium governed by the Intertropical Convergence Zone”. This dataset includes: a new YX δ18O record covering the entire LM from Yongxing Cave (31°35'N, 111°14'E, 800 m) in the east slope of Mt. Shennongjia, central China, and a synthesis of stalagmite δ18O records from the Asian summer monsoon domain over the last millennium (670-2000 CE).
The dynamic linkage between climatic warming and the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) remains unclear, largely due to the limited understanding of the spatiotemporal variability of the ASM rainfall. Here, we present a new high-resolution stalagmite δ18O record from Yongxing Cave, central China and determine the leading mode and spatial pattern of 13 well-dated Chinese stalagmite δ18O records over the last millennium. The leading mode, representative of the change in ASM intensity, is closely related to the Northern Hemisphere temperature and negatively related to the South American summer monsoon (SASM) change, supporting that the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifts modulate the interhemispheric monsoon changes. Our reconstruction and simulation further indicate a significant spatial heterogeneity in ASM rainfall during the Medieval Warm Period, related to the migration of the ITCZ, likely driven by greenhouse gas forcing. The synchronous weakening in ASM and SASM intensity during the Current Warming Period is likely attributed to anthropogenic warming-induced contraction of the ITCZ. Our findings highlight the key role of ITCZ changes in regulating the spatiotemporal variability of the ASM and associated rainfall in either natural or anthropogenic warming eras.