Modelling a Modern-like-pCO2 Warm Period (MIS KM5c) with Two Versions of IPSL AOGCM

• Main Authors: Tan, Ning, Contoux, Camille, Ramstein, Gilles, Sun, Yong, Dumas, Christophe, Sepulchre, Pierre
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Greenland; Ice Sheet; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2019-83; https://www.clim-past-discuss.net/cp-2019-83/

The mid-Piacenzian warm period (3.264 to 3.025 Ma) is the most recent geological period with a present-like atmospheric p CO 2 exhibiting significant warming relative to present conditions. With the advanced understanding of the climate variability of this interval, a specific interglacial (marine isotope stage KM5c, MIS KM5c, 3.205 Ma) is selected for Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project phase 2 (PlioMIP 2) and updated boundary conditions are provided. In this study, we carried out series of experiments according to the design of PlioMIP2 with two versions of the IPSL Atmosphere-Ocean Coupled General Circulation Model (AOGCM) (IPSL-CM5A and IPSL-CM5A2). By comparing with PlioMIP 1 experiment, run with IPSL-CM5A, our results show that the simulated MIS KM5c climate presents enhanced warming in mid-to-high latitudes, especially in ocean regions. This warming can be attributed to the largely enhanced Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation caused by the high latitude seaway changes. The tier experiments, conducted with IPSL-CM5A2 (with faster computation scheme), show that besides the increased p CO 2 , both modified orography and reduced ice sheets contribute substantially in mid-to-high latitudes warming of MIS KM5c. When considering the p CO 2 uncertainties, the warming pattern changes, our model response to the variation of p CO 2 by ±50 ppmv is not symmetric in the surface air temperature, due to the non-linear response of the cryosphere (snow cover and sea ice extent). By analysing the Greenland Ice Sheet surface mass balance, we also demonstrate its vulnerability under both MIS KM5c and modern warm climate.