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Detailed Reference Information |
Jenkins, G.S. and Smith, S.R. (1999). GCM simulations of snowball earth conditions during the Late Proterozoic. Geophysical Research Letters 26: doi: 10.1029/1999GL900538. issn: 0094-8276. |
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In order to simulate the Snowball Earth conditions that may have existed during the late Proterozoic we have conducted a series of GCM simulations using a simple 50-meter slab ocean, a reduced solar constant of 6% and varied CO2 concentrations. In this study, we vary the CO2 concentration from 100 to 3400-ppmv and use rotation rates corresponding to 18 and 24-hour day-lengths. We also examine the effects of increasing the poleward transport of heat by the oceans. Our results show that below a critical value of approximately 1700 ppmv of atmospheric CO2, sea-ice and sub-freezing temperatures occur from the poles to the Equator. A global mean annual two meter air temperature of 221 ¿K is found for boundary conditions of 100 ppmv atmospheric CO2, 6% reduction in solar forcing and a rotation rate corresponding to an 18 hour day. These results confirm those of earlier studies suggesting or implying that low-latitude glaciation occurred during the late Proterozoic. However, since the ocean is the critical factor for low-latitude glaciation, the results should be view cautiously because of the simple slab-ocean used in this study. ¿ 1999 American Geophysical Union |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Evolution of the atmosphere, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Paleoclimatology, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Atmospheres—evolution, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Planetary meteorology (5445, 5739) |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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