Climate variations and the Appalachians from the late paleozoic to the present: Results from model simulations

Abstract

A series of climate model simulations are utilized to examine the climate evolution of the Appalachians from the Carboniferous to the Present through consideration of large scale changes in paleogeography and potential variations in carbon dioxide on long time scales. The model simulations predict considerable variations in temperature and precipitation through time. In addition, a number of shorter time scale phenomena may influence the climatic record of the Appalachians. In particular Milankovitch orbital variations can produce rhythmic climate and weathering. Particular geographic configurations since the Carboniferous tend to promote sensitivity to orbital variations. Although far from comprehensive, the model simulations provide independent predictions of climate which can be utilized to investigate the evolution of the Appalachians deductively.