The Mid-Brunhes Event and West Antarctic Ice Sheet stability

Holden, P.B.; Edwards, N.R.; Wolff, Eric W.; Valdes, P.J.; Singarayer, J.S.. 2011 The Mid-Brunhes Event and West Antarctic Ice Sheet stability. Journal of Quaternary Science, 26 (5). 474-477. 10.1002/jqs.1525

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Abstract/Summary

The complex cyclical nature of Pleistocene climate, driven by the evolving orbital configuration of the Earth, is well known but not well understood. A major climatic transition took place at the Mid-Brunhes Event (MBE), ca. 430 ka ago after which the amplitude of the ca. 100 ka climate oscillations increased, with substantially warmer interglacials, including periods warmer than present. Recent modelling has indicated that while the timing of these warmer-than-present transient (WPT) events is consistent with southern warming clue to a deglaciation-forced slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, the magnitude of warming requires a local amplification, for which a candidate is the feedback of significant West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) retreat. We here extend this argument, based on the absence of WPTs in the early ice core record (450-800 ka ago), to hypothesize that the MBE could be a manifestation of decreased WAIS stability, triggered by ongoing subglacial erosion.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1002/jqs.1525
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Chemistry and Past Climate
ISSN:	0267-8179
Additional Keywords:	Mid-Brunhes Event, West Antarctic Ice Sheet, interglacials, glacial cycles, GENIE
NORA Subject Terms:	Meteorology and Climatology Glaciology
Date made live:	20 Sep 2011 13:43 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/15143

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