A mechanism for the orbital pacing of Eocene

A mechanism for the orbital pacing of Eocene hyperthermals Dan Lunt, Andy Ridgwell, Appy Sluijs, Jim Zachos Stephen Hunter, Alan Haywood • • Introduction AOGCM results and Eocene/PETM ocean circulation Hydrate modelling Conceptual model for hyperthermal orbital pacing

Orientation… Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum Zachos et al, Nature, 2008

Causes of PETM have been debated – implications for carbon input and therefore climate sensitivity Dunkley Jones et al, 2010

One hypothesis: release of methane hydrates due to enhanced warming: …and “data”: some evidence from ocean-only modelling. Bice and Marotzke, 2004 Nunes and Norris, 2006

So, what did we do? – Fully coupled Had. CM 3(L). (1) Palaeogeography Topography Vegetation

(2) CO 2 1680 ppmv = 6* 1120 ppmv = 4* 560 ppmv = 2* Zachos et al, Nature, 2008

Runs at 1, 2, 4, 6 * pre-industrial CO 2. ~3500 years Global mean temperature vs CO 2 forcing

Normalised Surface Temperature, Eocene 2*-1*, 4*-1*, 6*-1*

‘Kink’ in Had. CM 3 climate sensitivity Streamfunctions: 1*, 2*, 4*, 6* Normalised 1 km ocean Temperature, Eocene 2*-1*, 4*-1*, 6*-1*

Mixed Layer depth, 1* 2*, 4*, 6* DJF: JJA:

Implications for PETM: Bice and Marotzke, 2004

Conclusions (1) • Eocene model shows fairly linear surface temperature response to CO 2, but… • Deep ocean warms non-linearly, associated with reduction in deep water formation and switch in ocean circulation. • Implications for hydrates: initial forcing (e. g. volcanic) could cause ‘run-away’ positive feedbacks. • Supported by other modelling work (Winguth et al, 2010) Lunt et al, Geology, 2010.

Evidence for multiple hyperthermals…

And orbital pacing…. See also Westerhold et al. , Lourens et al “Hence, we suggest that the extreme seasonal contrast at both hemispheres during eccentricity maxima increased intermediate seawater temperatures, thereby triggering the release of oceanic methane hydrates. ”

6 Additional simulations with orbital pertubations, 1000 years in length: Maximum seasonality: obliquity=0. 43 rad, eccentricity=0. 054 Minimum seasonality: obliquity=0. 38 rad, eccentricity=0

Mixed layer depth, JJA Minimum seasonality 1 km Temperature difference, Minimum seasonality minus Maximum SH seasonality

Time-dependent sediment hydrate model of Davie and Buffett (2001). Simulates hydrate evolution, given a bottom-water temperature forcing, plus other (poorly constrained) variables. Here: depth = 1500 m, at ‘bullseye’ of orbitally-induced temperature anomaly CH 4 [kg/m 2] Response: Forcing: Millions of years

Conceptual ‘threshold’ model for combined CO 2 and orbital impacts on circulation, hydrate, and temperature, Informed by GCM and hydrate modelling

Conclusions (2) • GCM responds in a similar way to orbital forcing as to CO 2 forcing. • Conceptual model, informed by GCM and hydrate model results, produces results qualitatively in agreement with data. • Therefore, we propose a possible mechanism for orbital pacing of hyperthermals, via hydrate destabilisation

Warm Climates of the Past – a lesson for the future? 10 - 11 October 2011 The Royal Society, London Speakers include: Jim Hansen, Bette Otto Bliesner, Jeff Kiehl, Paul Valdes

Possible reasons for circulation switch:

Comparison with data: Temperature ANOMALIES, PETM – ‘backgound’ Eocene

Eocene Model Intercomparison Project (‘Eo. MIP’) results Lunt et al, Geology, 2010 Heinemann et al, Climate of the Past, 2009 Winguth et al, Journal of Climate, 2010 Huber et al, PPP, 2006 Roberts et al, EPSL, 2009 Panchuk et al, Geology, 2008

280 560 1120 2240 4480 ppmv What are the reasons for the differences between models…? And the differences between models and data…?