Reproduction of climate for the mid-Holocene over the Korean Peninsula using a high-resolution numerical model

Abstract

The climate response over Korea to the change in orbital parameters for the mid-Holocene at 6000 BP is reproduced using a relatively high-resolution (about 75 km) climate model of National Center for Atmosphere Research (NCAR) Community Climate Model version 3 (CCM3). In response to the mid-Holocene orbital conditions, the surface temperature over Korea increased over the northern part and decreased over the southern part by up to about ±0.5 °C. The increase in surface temperature is mainly due to the increase in summer surface temperature as the earth receives more energy. Despite the reduced insolation in winter, surface temperature increased in North Korea, associated with the increase in downward long wave and turbulent heat fluxes. The cooler climate in the southern part is due to the reduced surface temperature in winter, spring, and autumn. In the mid-Holocene, precipitation decreased overall in most of Korea, except for the southern part, where it slightly increased. Associated with the reduced precipitation, the climate was overall drier in most of Korea, especially the northern part, though climate was slightly wetter in southernmost Korea, including Jeju Island. In comparison to some proxy records, the increase in surface temperature in the mid-Holocene is overall consistent. In terms of precipitation and hydrological budget, the southern part agrees with proxy evidence, but in central Korea there exists a disagreement. However, there are only limited numbers of proxy records throughout Korea. A greater number and lines of proxy evidence are required before we draw any clear conclusions regarding climate change for the mid-Holocene over Korea.