Speleothems as indicators of wet and dry periods

Calcareous speleothems, cave deposits such as stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones are phenomena which are generated by a complex set of processes in part dependent on climate. During the late 20th century, the main focus of research was on δ18O records in speleothems as palaeotemperature indicators. However, even where the results of this approach can be calibrated in the instrumental period (e.g. Mangini et al., 2005), there are discrepancies with other palaeoclimate indicators, and it now appears that shifts in meteorological patterns over time need to be considered. Such changing patterns are also likely to be reflected in changing rainfall amount and indeed much attention is currently being