EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Langen & Alexeev 2004
Langen, P.L. and Alexeev, V.A. (2004). Multiple equilibria and asymmetric climates in the CCM3 coupled to an oceanic mixed layer with thermodynamic sea ice. Geophysical Research Letters 31: doi: 10.1029/2003GL019039. issn: 0094-8276.

Multiple equilibria and asymmetric climates are found in an atmospheric GCM coupled to an upper mixed layer ocean with thermodynamic sea ice on an aquaplanet. The model is run in a configuration close to that employed in the Budyko-Sellers type energy balance models. All externally specified fields are constant over the year, zonally symmetric and symmetric about the equator. The amplitude of a specified ocean heat transport is varied and within a certain range a number of distinctly different stationary states are found: An ice-covered planet, a cold climate, a present-day-like climate and an ice-free warm climate. Asymmetric states with large sea ice extents in one hemisphere and none in the other are also found. This work can be considered a step towards understanding why many simpler climate models exhibit multiple equilibria while more comprehensive AGCMs tend not to.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Global Change, Climate dynamics, Global Change, Atmosphere (0315, 0325), Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, General circulation
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
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
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit