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Detailed Reference Information |
Meissner, K.J., Schmittner, A., Wiebe, E.C. and Weaver, A.J. (2002). Simulations of Heinrich Events in a coupled ocean-atmosphere-sea ice model. Geophysical Research Letters 29: doi: 10.1029/2001GL013514. issn: 0094-8276. |
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Between 20 and 80 kyr ago several cooling cycles occurred in the Northern Hemisphere which culminated in a discharge of icebergs into the North Atlantic. These so called Heinrich Events (HEs) were followed by an abrupt shift to a warmer climate. Here we use a coupled ocean-atmosphere-sea ice model to study the response of the climate system under glacial conditions to a hypothetical HE. The HE is simulated by meltwater discharges and combined changes in land albedo and ice sheet topography mimicking a break-up of a considerable part of the Laurentide ice sheet. Despite very different initial strengths of the overturning circulation in the Northern Hemisphere, the model response to the HEs is qualitatively similar. A warming of ocean and atmosphere temperatures due to the topography/albedo changes is simulated after the iceberg discharge. North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) formation drops and reestablishes due to the meltwater event. |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Oceanography, General, Paleoceanography, Oceanography, General, Numerical modeling, Global Change, Climate dynamics |
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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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