Interhemispheric Ice-Sheet Synchronicity During the Last Glacial Maximum

publisher:10.1126/science.1209299

Interhemispheric Ice-Sheet Synchronicity During the Last Glacial Maximum

Weber, Michael E, Clark, Peter U, Ricken, Werner, Mitrovica, Jerry X, Hostetler, Steven W and Kuhn, Gerhard ;

Contact

gerhard.kuhn [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

The timing of the last maximum extent of the Antarctic ice sheets relative to those in the Northern Hemisphere remains poorly understood. We develop a chronology for the Weddell Sea sector of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet that, combined with ages from other Antarctic ice-sheet sectors, indicates that the advance to and retreat from their maximum extent was within dating uncertainties synchronous with most sectors of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets. Surface climate forcing of Antarctic mass balance would probably cause an opposite response, whereby a warming climate would increase accumulation but not surface melting. Our new data support teleconnections involving sea-level forcing from Northern Hemisphere ice sheets and changes in North Atlantic deep-water formation and attendant heat flux to Antarctic grounding lines to synchronize the hemispheric ice sheets.

Item Type

Article

Authors

Weber, Michael E, Clark, Peter U, Ricken, Werner, Mitrovica, Jerry X, Hostetler, Steven W and Kuhn, Gerhard ;

Divisions

AWI Organizations > Geosciences > Marine Geology and Paleontology

Programs

Helmholtz Research Programs > PACES I (2009-2013) > TOPIC 3: Lessons from the Past > WP 3.1: Past Polar Climate and inter-hemispheric Coupling

Publication Status

Published

Eprint ID

25671

DOI https://www.doi.org/10.1126/science.1209299

Cite as

Weber, M. E. , Clark, P. U. , Ricken, W. , Mitrovica, J. X. , Hostetler, S. W. and Kuhn, G. , Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Strasse 49a, 50674 Cologne, Germany, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA, Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Strasse 49a, 50674 Cologne, Germany, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA, U.S. Geological Survey, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Helmholtz Association, Am Alten Hafen 26, 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany (2011): Interhemispheric Ice-Sheet Synchronicity During the Last Glacial Maximum , Science, 334 (6060), pp. 1265-1269 . doi: https://www.doi.org/10.1126/science.1209299

Citation

Research Platforms

Vessels > Polarstern

Campaigns

ANT > V > 4
ANT > VI > 3
ANT > VIII > 5

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