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Sea surface temperature and sea ice variability in the subpolar North Atlantic from explosive volcanism of the late thirteenth century
Author(s) -
Sicre M.A.,
Khodri M.,
Mignot J.,
Eiríksson J.,
Knudsen K.L.,
Ezat U.,
Closset I.,
Nogues P.,
Massé G.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2013gl057282
Subject(s) - geology , oceanography , volcano , volcanism , forcing (mathematics) , sea surface temperature , climatology , alkenone , explosive eruption , sea ice , explosive material , paleontology , magma , geography , archaeology , tectonics
In this study, we use IP 25 and alkenone biomarker proxies to document the subdecadal variations of sea ice and sea surface temperature in the subpolar North Atlantic induced by the decadally paced explosive tropical volcanic eruptions of the second half of the thirteenth century. The short‐ and long‐term evolutions of both variables were investigated by cross analysis with a simulation of the IPSL‐CM5A LR model. Our results show short‐term ocean cooling and sea ice expansion in response to each volcanic eruption. They also highlight that the long response time of the ocean leads to cumulative surface cooling and subsurface heat buildup due to sea ice capping. As volcanic forcing relaxes, the surface ocean rapidly warms, likely amplified by subsurface heat, and remains almost ice free for several decades.