New PAGES-PMIP working group on Quaternary Interglacials (QUIGS)

Chronis Tzedakis,E Capron,B Otto-Bliesner,A De Vernal,E Wolff

doi:10.22498/pages.23.2.83

Abstract

New PAGES-PMIP working group on Quaternary Interglacials (QUIGS)

Highlights

Past interglacials can be thought of as a series of natural experiments in which boundary conditions, such as the seasonal and latitudinal distribution of insolation, the extent of continental ice sheets and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, varied considerably with consequent effects on the character of climate change
There is no simple astronomical cause for differences in the intensity of interglacials, which seems to arise at least partly from the patterns observed in atmospheric CO2 concentrations
This emphasizes the need to better understand and model the carbon cycle across glacial cycles. Chronological advances, both in assessing absolute ages relative to astronomical forcing, and in aligning different proxies and locations, are essential if we are to assess the dynamics of interglacials and their termination and inception

Summary

Introduction

Past interglacials can be thought of as a series of natural experiments in which boundary conditions, such as the seasonal and latitudinal distribution of insolation, the extent of continental ice sheets and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, varied considerably with consequent effects on the character of climate change. There is no simple astronomical cause for differences in the intensity of interglacials, which seems to arise at least partly from the patterns observed in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This emphasizes the need to better understand and model the carbon cycle across glacial cycles.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion