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Deep-water circulation changes lead North Atlantic climate during deglaciation

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Muschitiello

    (University of Cambridge
    Columbia University
    NORCE Norwegian Research Centre and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research)

  • William J. D’Andrea

    (Columbia University)

  • Andreas Schmittner

    (Oregon State University)

  • Timothy J. Heaton

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Nicholas L. Balascio

    (College of William and Mary)

  • Nicole deRoberts

    (Columbia University)

  • Marc W. Caffee

    (Purdue University
    Purdue University)

  • Thomas E. Woodruff

    (Purdue University)

  • Kees C. Welten

    (University of California)

  • Luke C. Skinner

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Margit H. Simon

    (NORCE Norwegian Research Centre and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research)

  • Trond M. Dokken

    (NORCE Norwegian Research Centre and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research)

Abstract

Constraining the response time of the climate system to changes in North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) formation is fundamental to improving climate and Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation predictability. Here we report a new synchronization of terrestrial, marine, and ice-core records, which allows the first quantitative determination of the response time of North Atlantic climate to changes in high-latitude NADW formation rate during the last deglaciation. Using a continuous record of deep water ventilation from the Nordic Seas, we identify a ∼400-year lead of changes in high-latitude NADW formation ahead of abrupt climate changes recorded in Greenland ice cores at the onset and end of the Younger Dryas stadial, which likely occurred in response to gradual changes in temperature- and wind-driven freshwater transport. We suggest that variations in Nordic Seas deep-water circulation are precursors to abrupt climate changes and that future model studies should address this phasing.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Muschitiello & William J. D’Andrea & Andreas Schmittner & Timothy J. Heaton & Nicholas L. Balascio & Nicole deRoberts & Marc W. Caffee & Thomas E. Woodruff & Kees C. Welten & Luke C. Skinner, 2019. "Deep-water circulation changes lead North Atlantic climate during deglaciation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-09237-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09237-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Mohamed M. Ezat & Kirsten Fahl & Tine L. Rasmussen, 2024. "Arctic freshwater outflow suppressed Nordic Seas overturning and oceanic heat transport during the Last Interglacial," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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