On the identification of a Pliocene time slice for data-model comparison

The characteristics of the mid-Pliocene warm period (mPWP: 3.264-3.025MaBP) have been examined using geological proxies and climate models. While there is agreement between models and data, details of regional climate differ. Uncertainties in prescribed forcings and in proxy data limit the utility o...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Main Authors: Haywood, Alan M., Dolan, Aisling M., Pickering, Steven J., Dowsett, Harry J., McClymont, Erin L., Prescott, Caroline L., Salzmann, Ulrich, Hill, Daniel J., Hunter, Stephen J., Lunt, Daniel J., Pope, James O., Valdes, Paul J.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2013
Subjects:
Pliocene
climate models
climate sensitivity
Earth system sensitivity
SEA-SURFACE TEMPERATURES
GENERAL-CIRCULATION MODEL
MIDDLE PLIOCENE
ICE-SHEET
INSOLATION QUANTITIES
JOINT INVESTIGATIONS
EXPERIMENTAL-DESIGN
BOUNDARY-CONDITIONS
ARCTIC-OCEAN
WARM PERIOD
Arctic
Arctic Ocean
Ice Sheet
North Atlantic
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/1983/61f36f5e-cab9-4d7e-a7e9-17a2b65d5f6f
https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/61f36f5e-cab9-4d7e-a7e9-17a2b65d5f6f
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2012.0515
https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/files/32609135/Haywood_timeslice.pdf
http://rsta.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/371/2001/20120515.full
Description
Summary:The characteristics of the mid-Pliocene warm period (mPWP: 3.264-3.025MaBP) have been examined using geological proxies and climate models. While there is agreement between models and data, details of regional climate differ. Uncertainties in prescribed forcings and in proxy data limit the utility of the interval to understand the dynamics of a warmer than present climate or evaluate models. This uncertainty comes, in part, from the reconstruction of a time slab rather than a time slice, where forcings required by climate models can be more adequately constrained. Here, we describe the rationale and approach for identifying a time slice(s) for Pliocene environmental reconstruction. A time slice centred on 3.205 Ma BP (3.204-3.207 Ma BP) has been identified as a priority for investigation. It is a warm interval characterized by a negative benthic oxygen isotope excursion (0.21-0.23 parts per thousand) centred on marine isotope stage KM5c (KM5.3). It occurred during a period of orbital forcing that was very similar to present day. Climate model simulations indicate that proxy temperature estimates are unlikely to be significantly affected by orbital forcing for at least a precession cycle centred on the time slice, with the North Atlantic potentially being an important exception.

Similar Items