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Dynamical and observational constraints on tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures at the Last Glacial Maximum
Author(s) -
Liu Z.,
Shin S.,
Behling P.,
Prell W.,
TrendStaid M.,
Harrison S. P.,
Kutzbach J. E.
Publication year - 2000
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 - 10.1029/1999gl002321
Subject(s) - thermocline , last glacial maximum , sea surface temperature , climatology , geology , glacial period , walker circulation , oceanography , paleoceanography , ocean current , atmosphere (unit) , holocene , geography , geomorphology , meteorology
Asynchronously coupled atmosphere and ocean general circulation model simulations are used to examine the consequences of changes in the west/east sea‐surface temperature (SST) gradient across the equatorial Pacific at the last glacial maximum (LGM). Simulations forced by the CLIMAP SST for the LGM, where the west/east SST gradient across the Pacific is reduced compared to present, produce a reduction in the strength of the trade winds and a decrease in the west/east slope of the equatorial thermocline that is incompatible with thermocline depths newly inferred from foraminiferal assemblages. Stronger‐than‐present trade winds, and a more realistic simulation of the thermocline slope, are produced when eastern Pacific SSTs are 2°C cooler than western Pacific SSTs. Our study highlights the importance of spatial heterogeneity in tropical SSTs in determining key features of the glacial climate.