The mechanism behind internally generated centennial-to-millennial scale climate variability in an earth system model of intermediate complexity

• Published in: Geoscientific Model Development
• Main Authors: Friedrich, T., Timmermann, A., Menviel, L., Timm, O.E., Mouchet, A., Roche, D.M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Hudson; Hudson Bay; Labrador Sea; Nordic Seas; North Atlantic; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/315266.pdf

The mechanism triggering centennial-to-millennial-scale variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in the earth system model of intermediate complexity LOVECLIM is investigated. It is found that for several climate boundary conditions such as low obliquity values (similar to 22.1°) or LGM-albedo, internally generated centennial-to-millennial-scale variability occurs in the North Atlantic region. Stochastic excitations of the density-driven overturning circulation in the Nordic Seas can create regional sea-ice anomalies and a subsequent reorganization of the atmospheric circulation. The resulting remote atmospheric anomalies over the Hudson Bay can release freshwater pulses into the Labrador Sea and significantly increase snow fall in this region leading to a subsequent reduction of convective activity. The millennial-scale AMOC oscillations disappear if LGM bathymetry (with closed Hudson Bay) is prescribed or if freshwater pulses are suppressed artificially. Furthermore, our study documents the process of the AMOC recovery as well as the global marine and terrestrial carbon cycle response to centennial-to-millennial-scale AMOC variability.