The Dominant Role of the Tibetan Plateau and the Antarctic in Establishing the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

Abstract

Our recent research underscores the pivotal roles of the Tibetan Plateau and Antarctica in the development of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This study rigorously investigates how these two regions collectively influence the AMOC, using coupled model’s sensitive experiments that sequentially introduce the Tibetan Plateau followed by Antarctica (TP2AT), and then in the reverse order (AT2TP). The rise of the Tibetan Plateau markedly alters atmospheric moisture transport patterns in the Northern Hemisphere, leading to a fresher North Pacific and a saltier North Atlantic. This change is the key to shifting deep-water formation from the North Pacific to the North Atlantic, thereby initiating the AMOC. Antarctica’s contribution is primarily linked to its impact on the strength and position of atmospheric westerlies over the high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, which strengthens the AMOC by enhancing Ekman upwelling and Agulhas leakage in the Southern Ocean. The synergistic effect of the Tibetan Plateau and Antarctica is instrumental in forming the contemporary pattern of the AMOC. The TP2AT scenario is more effective in establishing the AMOC compared to AT2TP. In the latter scenario, a strong Pacific Meridional Overturning Circulation (PMOC) exists before the introduction of the Tibetan Plateau. The rise of the Tibetan Plateau must first terminate the PMOC before initiating the AMOC.