ESS200A
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Interactions between Ice and Ocean
qThis
hypothesis argues that millennial oscillations were produced by the internal interactions
among various components of the climate system.
qOne
most likely internal interaction is the one
associated with the deep-water formation in the North Atlantic.
qMillennial
oscillations can be produced from changes in northward flow of warm, salty surface
water along the conveyor belt.
qStronger
conveyor flow releases heat that melts ice and lowers the salinity of the North Atlantic,
eventually slowing or stopping the formation of deep water.
qWeaker
flow then causes salinity to rise, completing the cycle.
(from Earth’s Climate: Past and Future)