Exploration of a simple model for ice ages
We argue that, while Milanković variations in solar radiation undoubtedly have a major influence on the timing of the Quaternary ice ages, they are partly incidental to their underlying causes. Based on observations of the significance of CO2, we propose a conceptually simple (but complicated in det...
Published in: | GEM - International Journal on Geomathematics |
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Springer-Verlag
2012
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ftucambridgeesc:oai:eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk:2845 2023-05-15T16:41:05+02:00 Exploration of a simple model for ice ages Fowler, A. C. Rickaby, R. E. M. Wolff, E. W. 2012-07 text http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/2845/ http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/2845/1/10.1007%252Fs13137-012-0040-7.pdf http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7 en eng Springer-Verlag http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/2845/1/10.1007%252Fs13137-012-0040-7.pdf Fowler, A. C. and Rickaby, R. E. M. and Wolff, E. W. (2012) Exploration of a simple model for ice ages. International Journal on Geomathematics. ISSN 1869-2672 eissn : 1869-2680 DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7> 01 - Climate Change and Earth-Ocean Atmosphere Systems Article PeerReviewed 2012 ftucambridgeesc https://doi.org/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7 2020-08-27T18:09:27Z We argue that, while Milanković variations in solar radiation undoubtedly have a major influence on the timing of the Quaternary ice ages, they are partly incidental to their underlying causes. Based on observations of the significance of CO2, we propose a conceptually simple (but complicated in detail) energy balance type model which has the ability to explain the underlying oscillatory nature of ice ages. We are led to develop a model which combines ice sheet growth and atmospheric energy balance with ocean carbon balance. In order to provide results which mimic the basic features of the observations, we develop novel hypotheses as follows. The succession of the most recent ice ages can be explained as being due to an oscillation due to the interaction of the growing northern hemisphere ice sheets and proglacial lakes which form as they migrate south. The CO2 signal which faithfully follows the proxy temperature signal can then be explained as being due to a combination of thermally activated ocean biomass production, which enables the rapid CO2 rise at glacial terminations, and enhanced glacial carbonate weathering through the exposure of continental shelves, which enables CO2 to passively follow the subsequent glacial cooling cycle. Milanković variations provide for modulations of the amplitude and periods of the resulting signals. Article in Journal/Newspaper Ice Sheet University of Cambridge, Department of Earth Sciences: ESC Publications GEM - International Journal on Geomathematics 4 2 227 297 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
University of Cambridge, Department of Earth Sciences: ESC Publications |
op_collection_id |
ftucambridgeesc |
language |
English |
topic |
01 - Climate Change and Earth-Ocean Atmosphere Systems |
spellingShingle |
01 - Climate Change and Earth-Ocean Atmosphere Systems Fowler, A. C. Rickaby, R. E. M. Wolff, E. W. Exploration of a simple model for ice ages |
topic_facet |
01 - Climate Change and Earth-Ocean Atmosphere Systems |
description |
We argue that, while Milanković variations in solar radiation undoubtedly have a major influence on the timing of the Quaternary ice ages, they are partly incidental to their underlying causes. Based on observations of the significance of CO2, we propose a conceptually simple (but complicated in detail) energy balance type model which has the ability to explain the underlying oscillatory nature of ice ages. We are led to develop a model which combines ice sheet growth and atmospheric energy balance with ocean carbon balance. In order to provide results which mimic the basic features of the observations, we develop novel hypotheses as follows. The succession of the most recent ice ages can be explained as being due to an oscillation due to the interaction of the growing northern hemisphere ice sheets and proglacial lakes which form as they migrate south. The CO2 signal which faithfully follows the proxy temperature signal can then be explained as being due to a combination of thermally activated ocean biomass production, which enables the rapid CO2 rise at glacial terminations, and enhanced glacial carbonate weathering through the exposure of continental shelves, which enables CO2 to passively follow the subsequent glacial cooling cycle. Milanković variations provide for modulations of the amplitude and periods of the resulting signals. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Fowler, A. C. Rickaby, R. E. M. Wolff, E. W. |
author_facet |
Fowler, A. C. Rickaby, R. E. M. Wolff, E. W. |
author_sort |
Fowler, A. C. |
title |
Exploration of a simple model for ice ages |
title_short |
Exploration of a simple model for ice ages |
title_full |
Exploration of a simple model for ice ages |
title_fullStr |
Exploration of a simple model for ice ages |
title_full_unstemmed |
Exploration of a simple model for ice ages |
title_sort |
exploration of a simple model for ice ages |
publisher |
Springer-Verlag |
publishDate |
2012 |
url |
http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/2845/ http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/2845/1/10.1007%252Fs13137-012-0040-7.pdf http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7 |
genre |
Ice Sheet |
genre_facet |
Ice Sheet |
op_relation |
http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/2845/1/10.1007%252Fs13137-012-0040-7.pdf Fowler, A. C. and Rickaby, R. E. M. and Wolff, E. W. (2012) Exploration of a simple model for ice ages. International Journal on Geomathematics. ISSN 1869-2672 eissn : 1869-2680 DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7> |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13137-012-0040-7 |
container_title |
GEM - International Journal on Geomathematics |
container_volume |
4 |
container_issue |
2 |
container_start_page |
227 |
op_container_end_page |
297 |
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1766031517595729920 |