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Publication Abstracts

Dowsett et al. 2009

Dowsett, H.J., M.A. Chandler, and M.M. Robinson, 2009: Surface temperatures of the Mid-Pliocene North Atlantic Ocean: Implications for future climate. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. A, 367, 69-84, doi:10.1098/rsta.2008.0213.

The Mid-Pliocene is the most recent interval in the Earth's history to have experienced warming of the magnitude predicted for the second half of the twenty-first century and is, therefore, a possible analogue for future climate conditions. With continents basically in their current positions and atmospheric CO₂ similar to early twenty-first century values, the cause for Mid-Pliocene warmth remains elusive. Understanding the behaviour of the North Atlantic Ocean during the Mid-Pliocene is integral to evaluating future climate scenarios due to its role in deep water formation and sensitivity to climate change. Under the framework of the Pliocene Research, Interpretation and Synoptic Mapping (PRISM) sea surface reconstruction, we synthesize Mid-Pliocene North Atlantic studies by PRISM members and others, describing each region of the North Atlantic in terms of palaeoceanography. We then relate Mid-Pliocene sea surface conditions to expectations of future warming. Results of the data and climate model comparisons suggest that the North Atlantic is more sensitive to climate change than is suggested by climate model simulations, raising the concern that estimates of future climate change are conservative.

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Export citation: [ BibTeX ] [ RIS ]

@article{do08000d,
  author={Dowsett, H. J. and Chandler, M. A. and Robinson, M. M.},
  title={Surface temperatures of the Mid-Pliocene North Atlantic Ocean: Implications for future climate},
  year={2009},
  journal={Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A},
  volume={367},
  pages={69--84},
  doi={10.1098/rsta.2008.0213},
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - do08000d
AU  - Dowsett, H. J.
AU  - Chandler, M. A.
AU  - Robinson, M. M.
PY  - 2009
TI  - Surface temperatures of the Mid-Pliocene North Atlantic Ocean: Implications for future climate
JA  - Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. A
JO  - Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A
VL  - 367
SP  - 69
EP  - 84
DO  - 10.1098/rsta.2008.0213
ER  -

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