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Persistent solar influence on North Atlantic climate during the Holocene
1Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, USA. gcb@ldeo.columbia.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 12, 2001
Summary
Solar variations influenced North Atlantic climate throughout the Holocene. This is evidenced by correlations between cosmogenic nuclides (carbon-14 and beryllium-10) and North Atlantic drift ice proxies, suggesting a solar forcing mechanism for the "1500-year" cycle.
Area of Science:
- Paleoclimatology
- Solar physics
- Oceanography
Background:
- The North Atlantic climate system exhibits cyclical patterns, including a prominent
- 1500-year
- cycle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential influence of solar activity variations on North Atlantic surface conditions throughout the Holocene epoch.
- To explore the mechanisms by which solar forcing might impact ocean hydrography and deep water formation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of deep-sea sediment cores to reconstruct past environmental conditions.
- Measurement of cosmogenic nuclides (carbon-14 and beryllium-10) as proxies for solar activity.
- Correlation analysis between solar proxies, drift ice proxies, and oceanographic data.
Main Results:
- A strong correlation was found between inferred changes in carbon-14 and beryllium-10 production rates and centennial to millennial-scale changes in drift ice proxies.
- Surface winds and ocean hydrography in the subpolar North Atlantic show a clear link to solar output variations over the Holocene.
- The findings suggest a solar forcing mechanism for the Holocene segment of the North Atlantic's
- 1500-year
- cycle.
Conclusions:
- Solar variations likely played a significant role in modulating North Atlantic climate throughout the Holocene.
- Changes in surface hydrography may have influenced North Atlantic Deep Water production, amplifying solar signals and potentially impacting global climate.
- A solar forcing mechanism is a plausible driver for the observed Holocene climate cycles in the North Atlantic.
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