Astronomical forcing of contrasting rainfall changes in tropical South America between 12,400 and 8800 cal yr BP

Abstract

Today, precipitation over tropical South America is largely controlled by the seasonal movements of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). During the summer, the ITCZ is shifted southward due to the warming of the continent. Paleoclimate data from southeastern Amazonia and the central Andes indicate that these two areas evolved similarly during the last 30,000 yr. However, between 12,400 and 8800 cal yr B.P., eastern Amazonia received substantial moisture whereas the Bolivian Altiplano was arid. This suggests that the ITCZ during summer was then farther north than it is today.