Warmth of the Subpolar North Atlantic Ocean During Northern Hemisphere Ice-Sheet Growth

• Published in: Science
• Main Authors: Ruddiman, W. F., McIntyre, A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 1979
• Subjects: Ice Sheet; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.204.4389.173; https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.204.4389.173

Two 10,000-year periods of Northern Hemisphere continental ice-sheet growth stand out prominently within the last full interglacial-to-glacial cycle. During the first half of each rapid ice-growth phase, the subpolar North Atlantic from 40°N to 60°N maintained warm sea-surface temperatures comparable to those of today's ocean. The juxtaposition at latitudes 50°N to 60°N of an "interglacial" ocean alongside a "glacial" land mass, particularly along eastern North America, is regarded as an optimal configuration for delivering moisture to the growing ice sheets.