Posted on 10/18/2023 12:35:23 PM PDT by Red Badger
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown climate mechanism during the Cretaceous period, linking continental movement with disruptions in ocean currents that affected temperature gradients. This study not only deepens our understanding of ancient climate dynamics but also emphasizes the role of oceanic processes in today’s climate system.
A groundbreaking study has uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that significantly influences Earth’s climate.
The research was conducted by Hebrew University’s Ph.D. candidate, Kaushal Gianchandani, under the guidance of Professors Nathan Paldor and Hezi Gildor from the Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University, in collaboration with Prof. Ori Adam and Sagi Maor from the Hebrew University along with Dr Alexander Farnsworth and Prof. David Lunt from the University of Bristol, UK.
This cutting-edge research, published in Nature Communication, applies a novel analytic model developed by the three Hebrew University researchers two years ago, focusing on wind-driven circulation at the ocean’s surface and highlighting the pivotal role of ocean basin geometry.
This study explores the climate during the Cretaceous period, around 145 to 66 million years ago when there was a lot of carbon dioxide (warming gas) in the air. It looks at how big ocean swirls, which move warm water from the tropics to the poles, influenced the temperature difference between these two regions. This temperature difference is crucial for understanding why there were so many different kinds of plants and animals during the Cretaceous period.
In their research, the scientists aimed to uncover the complex relationship between changes in ocean current patterns (gyral circulation) that result from the arrangement of continents on Earth and variations in temperature gradients during the Cretaceous era when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. To do this, they conducted a thorough analysis using computer models that simulate ancient climates.
Their findings revealed that the movement of Earth’s continents during the Cretaceous period caused a slowdown in the large swirling ocean currents responsible for carrying warm water from the equator to the poles. This slowdown disrupted the way the ocean regulated its surface temperatures, resulting in a significant increase in temperature differences between the poles and the tropics during that time. These findings align with geological evidence from the Cretaceous era, providing a more comprehensive understanding of past climate dynamics.
Key takeaways:
Discovery of a Previously Unknown Mechanism: The study has unveiled a previously unknown mechanism that significantly influenced Earth’s climate during the Cretaceous period. This mechanism is related to changes in the distribution of the continents which affects ocean current patterns and their impact on temperature gradients.
Implications for Contemporary Climate: While the study primarily focuses on the Cretaceous period, it has implications for our understanding of contemporary climate systems. It highlights the importance of ocean gyres (circulation patterns) in shaping climate dynamics, both in the past and today. It underscores the complexity of Earth’s climate and the strong effect that processes other than CO2 concentration might have on it.
Focus on Cretaceous Period: The research primarily focuses on the climate during the Cretaceous period, which occurred approximately 145 to 66 million years ago. This period is of interest because it was characterized by high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is a greenhouse gas that can influence global temperatures.
Role of Ocean Swirls (Gyral Circulation): The study investigates the role of large ocean swirls, known as gyral circulation, in transporting warm water from the tropics to the poles. Understanding how these currents influenced temperature differences between the poles and the tropics is crucial for comprehending the biodiversity and climate of the Cretaceous period.
Impact of Continental Movement: The research findings suggest that the movement of Earth’s continents during the Cretaceous period disrupted the large ocean currents responsible for transporting warm water. This disruption led to significant increases in temperature differences between the poles and the tropics during that time.
Validation with Geological Evidence:
The study’s findings align with geological evidence from the Cretaceous era, providing further support for the proposed mechanisms and enhancing our understanding of past climate dynamics.
In summary, this research helps us gain insights into the complex relationship between ocean circulation patterns, equator-to-pole temperature differences, and past climate conditions. While it primarily contributes to our understanding of Earth’s ancient climate, it also underscores the significance of oceanic processes in shaping contemporary climate systems. This knowledge can potentially aid in modeling and predicting the impacts of climate change in the modern era, as ocean circulation patterns continue to play a crucial role in regulating global climate.
Reference:
“Effects of paleogeographic changes and CO2 variability on northern mid-latitudinal temperature gradients in the Cretaceous” by Kaushal Gianchandani, Sagi Maor, Ori Adam, Alexander Farnsworth, Hezi Gildor, Daniel J. Lunt and Nathan Paldor, 25 August 2023, Nature Communications.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40905-7
Ya think???????
Seriously, any undergrad meteorology student should have been able to figure that one out.
I thought they were going to notice that we are located next to a star. Oh well. Maybe next week.
So, in addition to them wanting to tax us to change the weather, they’ll likely do the same to change the ocean currents.
Wait a minute, this cannot possible be true. The Science Is Settled.
Earth rotation axis changes. Earth rotation velocity changes. Both affecting duration of solar exposure.
“Normal” wind directions change.
“... previously unknown mechanism that significantly influences Earth’s climate.”
The SUN?
The sun, perhaps?
Models only hint at what might be.
Records from the era are imprecise.
Models cannot tell us what happened, only what might have happened, given the assumptions put into the model.
Biden just took a bunch of jets all the way to Israel and back. He did for nothing more than show. And now the climate is doomed.
High CO2 levels must have been due to dinosaur flatulence
Umpossible... The debate is over....
“”I thought they were going to notice that we are located next to a star. Oh well. Maybe next week.””
“”You mean, the Sun?””
I can just see some astronomer/astrobiologist announcing the discovery of another solar system, and after careful research, determining that this new solar system’s weather is heavily influenced and dependent upon the large star in the middle. When asked about the influence of our Sun on our weather......the ‘scientist’ begins to babble like Obama without a teleprompter. He eventually states the truth, that there are no grants, fellowships or other sources of $$$ for any research that involves the influence of our Sun on planet Earth. AND, not only is there no $$$, any mention of the large, hot ball of yellow in the sky, and the major fluctuations of this hot, bright ball, will be met with a coordinated attack on all fronts: social media, Drive-By Media, academic ostracism and blacklisting.
Something to do with that yellow ball that separates day from night?
We should come up with a name for that yellow ball.
Is it the Sun?
You know…that strange light in the sky!
I know, where’s the big deal?
Several years ago when they had that tsunami in the Indian that severely impacted the coasts of countries along that ocean. It was later reported that ocean currents had changed in reaction to the underwater landscape changing. The media breathlessly reported that like it was surprising.
Note: Indian = Indian Ocean
GOVERNMENT FUNDING !!!
“... ocean current patterns (gyral circulation) ...”
That’s a good step.
That is getting closer to the actual mechanism of climate.
And, when they factor in the massive influence lunar tidal pulses have on gyral circulation, they’ll be on top of how climate works. And then they can shed the preposterous nonsense that atmospheric CO2 plays any part in climate’s mechanism.
The local weather on the news USED TO show the Jet stream, and high pressure and low pressure side etc. I think they quit because we didn’t need them talking and telling us. I could tell when nice weather was coming, the rain and the snow even just by showing the Jet stream.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.