Late Quaternary climatic variability in the Eastern Mediterranean recorded in Hermes Cave, Corinth Rift, Greece

The Greek peninsula lies at the intersection of major atmospheric circulation systems, making it a key location for reconstructing past climate variability in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this study, we present a new high-resolution multi-proxy speleothem record from Hermes Cave, located on the shoulder of the Corinth Rift in southern Greece. Stalagmite ZCG1 grew during two distinct intervals (~123–98 ka and ~36–7 ka), separated by a pronounced hiatus of ~62 ka. We combined 230Th/U dating, stable isotope (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C) analyses and trace-element (Sr/Ca) ratios to reconstruct climatic and hydrologic changes from the latter part of the Last Interglacial through to the Holocene. The early part of the record documents humid conditions followed by a long-term trend towards higher δ18O and δ13C values, pointing to progressive aridification that culminated in growth cessation near 98 ka. Growth resumed during MIS 3 under initially dry conditions that gradually became wetter towards the Holocene, with millennial-scale variability coinciding with Heinrich events and the Last Glacial Maximum. The Holocene section of the record documents a sustained humid phase, with several distinct episodes of reduced effective moisture, most notably during the 8.2 ka event. Comparison with marine sediment cores from the Gulf of Corinth highlights a strong coupling between regional hydroclimate, vegetation cover, and sediment flux into the marine environment. This study demonstrates that stalagmites from Hermes Cave provide a robust terrestrial complement to offshore records, offering critical insights into the timing, mechanisms and regional expression of Late Quaternary climate variability in the Eastern Mediterranean.