A snowball earth versus a slushball earth: Results from neoproterozoic climate modeling sensitivity experiments

Geosphere

Volumn 4, Issue 2, 2008, Pages 401-410

  Micheels, Arne ^a   Montenari, Michael ^b  

^a SENCKENBERG RESEARCH INSTITUTE   (Germany)

^b KEELE UNIVERSITY   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Climate modeling; Climate modeling sensitivity experiment; Neoproterozoic; Snowball Earth

Indexed keywords

CLIMATE MODELING; GLACIATION; PALEOCLIMATE; PALEOENVIRONMENT; PROTEROZOIC; SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS;

EID: 41949102079     PISSN: 1553-040     EISSN: 1553040X     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1130/GES00098.1     Document Type: Article

References (80)

1. Allen, P.A., and Hoffman, P.F., 2005, Extreme winds and waves in the aftermath of a Neoproterozoic glaciation: Nature, v. 433, p. 123-127, doi: 10.1038/nature03176.
2. 2: Science, v. 276, p. 544-546, doi: 10.1126/science.276.5312.544.
3. Bibring, J.-P., Langevin, Y., Poulet, F., Gendrin, A., Gondet, B., Berthe, M., Soufflot, A., Drossart, P., Combes, M., Bellucci, G., Moroz, V., Mangold, N., Schmitt, B., and the OMEGA team, 2004, Perennial water ice identified in the south polar cap of Mars: Nature, v. 428, p. 627-630.
4. Bice, K.L., Scotese, C.R., Seidov, D., and Barron, E.J., 2000, Quantifying the role of geographic change in Cenozoic ocean heat transport using uncoupled atmosphere and ocean models: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 161, p. 295-310, doi: 10.1016/ S0031-0182(00)00072-9.
5. Brady, E.C., DeConto, R.M., and Thompson, S.L., 1998, Deep water formation and poleward ocean heat transport in the warm climate extreme of the Cretaceous (80 Ma): Geophysical Research Letters, v. 25, no. 22, p. 4205-4208, doi: 10.1029/1998GL900072.
6. Chandler, M.A., and Sohl, L.E., 2000, Climate forcings and the initiation of low-latitude ice sheets during the Noproterozoic Varanger glacial interval: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 105, p. 20,737-20,756, doi:10.1029/2000JD900221.
7. Christie-Blick, N., Sohl, L.E., and Kennedy, M.J., 1999, Considering a Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth: Comment: Science, v. 284, p. 1087, doi: 10.1126/science.284.5417.1087a.
8. Claussen, M., 1994, On coupling global biome models with climate models: Climate Research, v. 4, p. 203-221.
9. Claussen, M., Mysak, L., Weaver, A., Crucifix, M., Fichefet, T., Loutre, M.-F., Weber, S., Alcamo, J., Alexeev, V., Berger, A., Calov, R., Ganopolski, A., Goosse, H., Lohmann, G., Lunkeit, F., Mokhov, I., Petoukhov, V., Stone, P., and Wang, Z., 2002, Earth system models of intermediate complexity: Closing the gap in the spectrum of climate system: Climate Dynamics, v. 18, p. 579-586, doi: 10.1007/ s00382-001-0200-1.
10. Cohen-Solal, E., and Le Treut, H., 1997, Role of the oceanic heat transport in climate dynamics. A sensitivity with an atmospheric general circulation model ocean heat transport GCM sensitivity studies: Tellus, v. 49A, p. 371-387.
11. Colaprete, A., Barnes, J.R., Haberle, R.M., Hollingsworth, J.L., Kieffer, H.H., and Titus,T.N., 2005, Albedo of the south pole on Mars determined by topographic forcing of atmosphere dynamics: Nature, v. 435, p. 184-188, doi: 10.1038/nature03561.
12. Corsetti, F.A., Awramik, S.M., and Pierce, D., 2003, A complex microbiota from snowball Earth times: Microfossils from the Neoproterozoic Kingston Peak Formation, Death Valley, USA: National Academy of Sciences Proceedings, v. 100, p. 4399-4404, doi:10.1073/ pnas.0730560100.
13. Corsetti, F.A., Olcott, A.N., and Bakermans, C., 2006, The biotic response to Neoproterozoic snowball Earth: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 232, p. 114-130, doi: 10.1016/ j.palaeo.2005.10.030.
14. Covey, C., and Thompson, S.L., 1989, Testing the effects of oceanic heat transport on climate: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 75, p. 331-341, doi: 10.1016/0031-0182(89)90193-4.
15. Cubasch, U., Meehl, G.A., Boer, G.J., Stouffer, R.J., Dix, M., Noda, A., Senior, C.A., Raper, S., and Yap, K.S., 2001, Projections of future climate change, in Houghton, J.T., et al., eds., Climate change 2001: The scientific basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, p. 525-582.
16. Dalziel , I.W.D., 1991, Pacific margins of Laurentia and East Antarctica-Australia as a conjugate rift pair: Evidence and implications for an Eocambrian supercontinent: Geology, v. 19, p. 598-601, doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0598:PMOLAE>2.3.CO;2.
17. Donnadieu, Y., Fluteau, F., Ramstein, G., Ritz, C., and Besse, J., 2003, Is there a conflet between the Neoproterozoic glacial deposits and the snowball Earth interpretation: An improved understanding with numerical modelling: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 208, p. 101-112, doi: 10.1016/S0012-821X(02)01152-4.
18. Donnadieu, Y., Godderis, Y., Ramstein, G., Nedelec, A., and Meert, J., 2004a, A 'snowball Earth' climate triggered by continental break-up through changes in runoff: Nature, v. 428, p. 303-306, doi: 10.1038/ nature02408.
19. Donnadieu, Y., Ramstein, G., Fluteau, F., Roche, D., and Ganopolski, A., 2004b, The impact of atmospheric and oceanic heat transports on the sea-ice-albedo instability during the Neoproterozoic: Climate Dynamics, v. 22, p. 293-306, doi: 10.1007/s00382-003-0378-5.
20. Evans, D.A., 2000, Stratigraphic, geochronological, and paleomagnetic constraints upon the Neoproterozoic climatic paradox: American Journal of Science, v. 300, p. 347-433, doi: 10.2475/ajs.300.5.347.
21. Evans, D.A.D., Li, Z.X., Kirschvink, J.L., and Wingate, M., T.D., 2000, A high-quality mid-Neoproterozoic paleomagnetic pole from South China, with implications for ice ages and the break-up configuration of Rodinia: Precambrian Research, v. 100, p. 313-334.
22. Fairchild, I.J., and Hambrey, M.J., 1984, The Vendian succession of northeastern Spitsbergen: Petrogenesis of a dolomite-tillite association: Precambrian Research, v. 26, p. 111-167, doi: 10.1016/ 0301-9268(84)90042-1.
23. Fraedrich, K., Kirk, E., and Lunkeit, F., 1998, PUMA: Portable University Model of the atmosphere: DKRZ Technical Report 16, 24 p.
24. Fraedrich, K., Jansen, H., Kirk, E., Luksch, U., and Lunkeit, F., 2005a, The planet simulator: Towards a user friendly model: Meteorologische Zeitschrift, v. 14, p. 299-304, doi: 10.1127/0941-2948/2005/0043.
25. Fraedrich, K., Jansen, H., Kirk, E., and Lunkeit, F., 2005b, The planet simulator: Green planet and desert world: Meteorologische Zeitschrift, v. 14, p. 305-314, doi: 10.1127/0941-2948/2005/0044.
26. Frisius, T, Lunkeit, F., Fraedrich, K., and James, I.A., 1998, Storm-track organization and variability in a simplified atmospheric global circulation model: Royal Meteorological Society Quarterly Journal, v. 124, p. 1019-1043, doi: 10.1002/qj.49712454802.
27. Gough, D.O., 1981, Solar interior structure and luminosity variations: Solar Physics, v. 74, no. 1, p. 21-34, doi:10.1007/BF00151270.
28. Gradstein, F., Ogg, J., and Smith, A., 2004, A geologic time scale 2004: Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 589 p.
29. Grosfeld, K., Lohmann, G., Rimbu, N., Fraedrich, K., and Lunkeit, F., 2007, Atmospheric multidecadal variations in the North Atlantic realm: Proxy data, observations, and atmospheric circulation model studies: Climate of the Past, v. 3, p. 39-50.
30. Hagemann, S., Botzet, M., Dümenil, L., and Machenhauer, B., 1999, Derivation of global GCM boundary conditions from 1 km land use satellite data: Max-Planck-Institut für Meteorologie Report no. 289, 34 p.
31. Hambrey, M.J., and Harland, W.B., 1985, The late Proterozoic glacial era: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 51, p. 255-272, doi:10.1016/0031-0182(85)90088-4.
32. Hoffman, P.F., 1991, Did the breakout of Laurentia turn Gondwanaland inside-out?: Science, v. 252, p. 1409-1412, doi: 10.1126/ science.252.5011.1409.
33. Hoffman, P.F., Kaufman, A.J., and Halverson, G.P., 1998a, Comings and goings of global glaciation on a Neo-proterozoic tropical platform in Namibia: GSA Today, v. 8, no. 5, p. 19.
34. Hoffman, P.F., Kaufman,A.J., Halverson, G.P., and Schrag, D.P., 1998b,A Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth: Science, v. 281, p. 1342 1346, doi: 10.1126/science.281.5381.1342.
35. Hoffman, P.F., and Schrag, D.P., 1999, Considering a Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth: Reply: Science, v. 284, p. 1087.
36. Hyde, W.T., Crowley, T.J., Baum, S.K., and Peltier, W.R., 2000, Neoproterozoic 'snowball Earth' simulations with a coupled climate/ ice-sheet model: Nature, v. 405, p. 425-429, doi: 10.1038/35013005.
37. Junge, M., Blender, R., Fraedrich, K., Gayler, V., Luksch, U., and Lunkeit, F., 2005, A world without Greenland: Impacts on the Northern Hemisphere winter circulation in low- and high-resolution models: Climate Dynamics, v. 24, p. 297-307, doi: 10.1007/s00382-004-0501-2.
38. Kaufman, A.J., Knoll, A.H., and Narbonne, G.M., 1997, Isotopes, ice ages, and terminal Proterozoic earth history: National Academy of Sciences Proceedings, v. 94, p. 6600-6605, doi: 10.1073/pnas.94.13.6600.
39. Kennedy, M.J., Runnegar, B., Prave, A.R., Hoffmann, K.H., and Arthur, M.A., 1998, Two or four Neoproterozoic glaciations: Geology, v. 26, p. 1059-1063, doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<1059:TOFNG>2.3.CO;2.
40. Kirschvink, J.L., 1992, Late Proterozoic low-latitude glaciation, in Schopf, J.W., ed., The Proterozoic biosphere: New York, Columbia University Press, p. 51-52.
41. Kleidon, A., Fraedrich, K., and Low, C., 2007, Multiple steady-states in the terrestrial atmosphere-biosphere system: A result of a discrete vegetation classification?: Biogeosciences Discussions, v. 4, p. 687-705.
42. Knoll, A.H., Hayes, J.M., Kaufman, A.J., Sweet, K., and Lambert, I.B., 1986, Secular variation in carbon isotope ratios from the upper Proterozoic succession of Svalbard and east Greenland: Nature, v. 321, p. 832-839, doi: 10.1038/321832a0.
43. 2 concentrations: Marine Micropaleontology, v. 27, p. 299-312, doi: 10.1016/0377-8398(95)00067-4.
44. Lawlor, D.W., 2001, Photosynthesis (third edition): Oxford, UK, Longman, 386 p.
45. Leather, J., Allen, P.A., Brasier, M.D., and Cozzi, A., 2002, Neoproterozoic snowball Earth under scrutiny: Evidence from the Fiq glaciation of Oman: Geology, v. 30, p. 891-894, doi: 10.1130/ 0091-7613(2002)030<0891:NSEUSE>2.0.CO;2.
46. 2 and its effects on plants, animals, and ecosystems. Ecological Studies, v. 177, p. 273-292.
47. Maier-Reimer, E., Mikolajewicz, U., and Crowley, T.J., 1990, Ocean general circulation model sensitivity experiment with an open Central American Isthmus: Palaeoceanography, v. 5, p. 349-366.
48. Meert, J.G., and Powell, C.M., 2001, Assembly and break-up of Rodinia: Introduction to the special volume: Precambrian Research, v. 110, p. 1-8, doi: 10.1016/S0301-9268(01)00177-2.
49. Meert, J.G., Van der Voo, R., and Ayub, S., 1995, Paleomagnetic investigation of the Neoproterozoic Gagwe lavas and Mbozi complex, Tanzania and the assembly of Gondwana: Precambrian Research, v. 74, p. 225-244, doi: 10.1016/0301-9268(95)00012-T
50. Micheels, A., Bruch, A.A., Mosbrugger, V., Uhl, D., and Utescher, T., 2006, Simulating climatic effects of palaeovegetation changes in the late Miocene using different climate models, in 7th European Palaeobotany-Palynology Conference, Prague, Program and Abstracts: Prague, Czech Republic, National Museum, p. 93.
51. Micheels, A., Bruch, A.A., Uhl, D., Utescher, T., and Mosbrugger, V., 2007, A late Miocene climate model simulation with ECHAM4/ML and its quantitative validation with terrestrial proxy data: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 253, p. 267-286, doi: 10.1016/ j.palaeo.2007.03.042.
52. Mikolajewicz, U., and Crowley, T.J., 1997, Response of a coupled ocean/ energy balance model to restricted flow through the Central American isthmus: Palaeoceanography, v. 12, p. 429-441, doi: 10.1029/96PA03542.
53. 2-induced changes of the ocean's circulation and climate: Climate Dynamics, v. 16, p. 627-642, doi: 10.1007/s003820000066.
54. Moores, E.M., 1991, Southwest U.S.-East Antarctica (SWEAT) connection: A hypothesis: Geology, v. 19, p. 425-428, doi: 10.1130/ 0091-7613(1991)019<0425:SUSEAS>.3.CO;2.
55. Olcott, A.N., Sessions, A.L., Corsetti, F.A., Kaufman, A.J., and de Oliviera, T.F., 2005, Biomarker evidence for photosynthesis during Neoproterozoic glaciation: Science, v. 310, p. 471-474, doi: 10.1126/ science.1115769.
56. Pagani, M., Zachos, J.C., Freeman, K.H., Tipple, B., and Bohaty, S., 2005, Marked decline in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations during the Paleogene: Science, v. 309, p. 600-603, doi: 10.1126/ science.1110063.
57. Petoukhov, V., Ganopolski, A., Brovkin, V., Claussen, M., Eliseev, A., Kubatzki, C., and Rahmstof, S., 2000, CLIMBER-2: A climate system model of intermediate complexity. Part I: Model description and performance for present climate: Climate Dynamics, v. 16, p. 1-17, doi: 10.1007/ PL00007919.
58. Pierrehumbert, R.T., 2004, High levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide necessary for the termination of global glaciation: Nature, v. 429, p. 646-649, doi: 10.1038/nature02640.
59. Poulsen, C. J., 2003, Absence of a runaway ice-albedo feedback in the Neoproterozoic: Geology, v. 31, p. 473-476, doi: 10 .1130/ 0091-7613(2003)031<0473:AOARIF>2.0.CO;2.
60. Poulsen, C.J., and Jacob, R., 2004, Factors that inhibit Snowball Earth simulation: Paleoceanography, v. 19, PA4021, doi: 10.1029/2004PA001056
61. Poulsen, C.J., Pierrehumbert, R.T., and Jacob, R.L., 2001, Impact of ocean dynamics on the simulation of the Neoproterozoic "snowball Earth": Geophysical Research Letters, v. 28, p. 1575-1578, doi: 10.1029/2000GL012058.
62. Poulsen, C.J., Jacob, R.L., Pierrehumbert, R.T., and Huynh, T.T., 2002, Testing palaeographic controls on a Neo-Proterozoic snowball Earth: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 29, p. 10-1-10-4.
63. Powell, C.M., Li, Z.X., McElhinny, M.W., Meert, J.G., and Park, J.K., 1993, Paleomagnetic constraints on timing of the Neoproterozoic breakup of Rodinia and the Cambrian formation of Gondwana: Geology, v. 21, p. 889-893, doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0889:PCOTOT>2.3.CO;2.
64. 13C excursions, two rifts: The Neoproterozoic Kingston Peak Formation, Death Valley, California: Geology, v. 27, p. 339-342, doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0339:TDTCCT>3.CO;2.
65. Ridgwell, A.J., Kennedy, M.J., and Caldeira, K., 2003, Carbonate deposition, climate stability, and Neoproterozoic ice ages: Science, v. 302, p. 859-862, doi: 10.1126/science.1088342.
66. Rind, D., and Chandler, M., 1991, Increased ocean heat transports and warmer climate: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 96, p. 7437-7461.
67. Roeckner, E., Bäuml, G., Bonaventura, L., Brokopf, R., Esch, M., Giorgetta, M., Hagemann, S., Kirchner, I., Kornblueh, L., Manzini, E., Rhodin, A., Schlese, U., Schulzweida, U., and Tompkins, A., 2003, The atmospheric general circulation model ECHAM5 - Model description: Max-Planck-Institut für Meteorologie Report no. 349, 140 p.
68. Roeckner, E., Brokopf, R., Esch, M., Giorgetta, M., Hagemann, S., Kornblueh, L., Manzini, E., Schlese, U., and Schulzweida, U., 2004, The atmospheric general circulation model ECHAM5 - Sensitivity of simulated climate to horizontal and vertical resolution: Max-Planck-Institut für Meteorologie Report no. 354, 64 p.
69. 2, orography, and oceanic heat transport on extreme climates: Climate of the Past, v. 2, p. 31-42.
70. Runnegar, B., 2000, Loophole for snowball Earth: Nature, v. 405, p. 403-404.
71. Saylor, B.Z., Kaufman, A.J., Grotzinger, J.P., and Urban, F., 1998, A composite reference section for the terminal Proterozoic strata of southern Namibia: Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 68, no. 6, p. 1223-1235.
72. Schmidt, P.W., and Williams, G.E., 1995, The Neoproterozoic climatic paradox: Equatorial palaeolatitude for Marinoan glaciation near sea level in South Australia: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 134, p. 107-124, doi: 10.1016/0012-821X(95)00106-M.
73. Schrag, D.P., Berner, R.A., Hoffman, P.F., and Halverson, G.P., 2002, On the initiation of a snowball Earth: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, v. 3, no. 6, doi: 10.1029/2001GC000219.
74. Sohl, L.E., Christie-Blick, N., and Kent, D.V., 1999, Paleomagnetic polarity reversals in Marinoan (ca. 600 Ma) glacial deposits of Australia: Implications for the duration of low-latitude glaciation in Neoproterozoic time: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 111, p. 1120-1139, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606(1999)111<1120:PPRIMC>3.CO;2.
75. Steppuhn, A., Micheels, A., Geiger, G., and Mosbrugger, V., 2006, Reconstructing the late Miocene climate and oceanic heat flux using the AGCM ECHAM4 coupled to a mixed-layer ocean model with adjusted flux correction: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 238, p. 399-423, doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.03.037.
76. Torsvik, T.H., 2003, The Rodinia jigsaw puzzle: Science, v. 300, p. 1379-1381, doi: 10.1126/science.1083469.
77. Torsvik, TH., Smethurst, M.A., Meert, J.G., Van der Voo, R., McKerrow, W.S., Brasier, M.D., Sturt, B.A., and Walderhaug, H.J., 1996, Continental break-up and collision in the Neoproterozoic and Palaeozoic - A tale of Baltica and Laurentia: Earth-Science Reviews, v. 40, p. 229-258, doi: 10.1016/0012-8252(96)00008-6.
78. Torsvik, T.H., Carter, L.M., Ashwal, L.D., Bhushan, S.K., Pandit, M.K., and Jamtveit, B., 2001, Rodinia refined or obscured: Paleomagnetism of the Malani Igneous Suite (NW India): Precambrian Research, v. 108, p. 319-333, doi: 10.1016/S0301-9268(01)00139-5.
79. Weil, A.B., Van der Voo, R., Niocaill, C.M., and Meert, J.G., 1998, The Proterozoic supercontinent Rodinia: Paleomagnetically derived reconstructions for 1100 to 800 Ma: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 154, p. 13-24, doi: 10.1016/S0012-821X(97)00127-1.
80. Young, G.M., and Gostin, V.A., 1989, An exceptionally thick upper Proterozoic (Sturtian) glacial succession in the Mount Painter area, South Australia: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 101, p. 834-845, doi: 10.11 30/0016-7606(1989)101<0834:AETUPS>2.3.CO;2.