Stochastic models of the meridional overturning circulation: time scales and patterns of variability

• Published in: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
• Main Authors: Monahan, Adam H, Alexander, Julie, Weaver, Andrew J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Royal Society 2008
• Subjects: Dansgaard-Oeschger events
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2008.0045; https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsta.2008.0045; https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full-xml/10.1098/rsta.2008.0045

The global meridional overturning circulation (MOC) varies over a wide range of space and time scales in response to fluctuating ‘weather’ perturbations that may be modelled as stochastic forcing. This study reviews model studies of the effects of climate noise on decadal to centennial MOC variability, on transitions between the MOC regimes and on the dynamics of Dansgaard–Oeschger events characteristic of glacial periods.