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Fennoscandian freshwater control on Greenland hydroclimate shifts at the onset of the Younger Dryas

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Muschitiello

    (Stockholm University)

  • Francesco S. R. Pausata

    (Stockholm University)

  • Jenny E. Watson

    (School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast)

  • Rienk H. Smittenberg

    (Stockholm University)

  • Abubakr A. M. Salih

    (Stockholm University)

  • Stephen J. Brooks

    (Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road)

  • Nicola J. Whitehouse

    (School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast
    School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Plymouth University)

  • Artemis Karlatou-Charalampopoulou

    (Lund University)

  • Barbara Wohlfarth

    (Stockholm University)

Abstract

Sources and timing of freshwater forcing relative to hydroclimate shifts recorded in Greenland ice cores at the onset of Younger Dryas, ∼12,800 years ago, remain speculative. Here we show that progressive Fennoscandian Ice Sheet (FIS) melting 13,100–12,880 years ago generates a hydroclimate dipole with drier–colder conditions in Northern Europe and wetter–warmer conditions in Greenland. FIS melting culminates 12,880 years ago synchronously with the start of Greenland Stadial 1 and a large-scale hydroclimate transition lasting ∼180 years. Transient climate model simulations forced with FIS freshwater reproduce the initial hydroclimate dipole through sea-ice feedbacks in the Nordic Seas. The transition is attributed to the export of excess sea ice to the subpolar North Atlantic and a subsequent southward shift of the westerly winds. We suggest that North Atlantic hydroclimate sensitivity to FIS freshwater can explain the pace and sign of shifts recorded in Greenland at the climate transition into the Younger Dryas.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Muschitiello & Francesco S. R. Pausata & Jenny E. Watson & Rienk H. Smittenberg & Abubakr A. M. Salih & Stephen J. Brooks & Nicola J. Whitehouse & Artemis Karlatou-Charalampopoulou & Barbara, 2015. "Fennoscandian freshwater control on Greenland hydroclimate shifts at the onset of the Younger Dryas," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9939
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9939
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