For a fuller description of the paper itself, go to the end of this web page.
Each simulation published in this paper corresponds to a unique 5 or 6 character code on the web pages.
The following table lists the name of the simulation as used in the paper, and the corresponding code name
The webpage gives you the ability to examine the published simulations, but you can also download the raw (netcdf) files to perform your own analysis. Detailed instructions on how to use the webpages and access the data can be found here: Using_BRIDGE_webpages.pdf
There are 6 simulations used in this paper: 3 different ice sheet states on 2 different palaeogeographies at the EOT
You can have make you own analysis and plots by going here
| Simulation Name as in Paper | Simulation name on web pages |
|---|---|
| Pre-industrial - Preindustrial control | xbmsc |
| Plio^CS - Pliocene closed seaway | xbmsa |
| Plio^OS - Plicene open seway | xbmsb |
This paper shows that Pliocene Panama gateway opening has a significant change on ocean circulation but not on Northern Hemisphere ice sheets
| Name | Lunt et al |
|---|---|
| Brief Description | This paper shows that Pliocene Panama gateway opening has a significant change on ocean circulation but not on Northern Hemisphere ice sheets |
| Full Author List | Daniel J. Lunt, Paul J. Valdes, Alan Haywood and Ian C. Rutt |
| Title | Closure of the Panama Seaway during the Pliocene: implications for climate and Northern Hemisphere glaciation |
| Year | 2008 |
| Journal | Climate Dynamics |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 3-4 |
| Pages | 1-18 |
| DOI | 10.1007/s00382-007-0265-6 |
| Contact's Name | Dan Lunt |
| Contact's email | D.J.Lunt@bristol.ac.uk |
| Abstract | The ''Panama Hypothesis'' states that the gradual closure of the Panama Seaway, between 13 million years ago (13 Ma) and 2.6 Ma, led to decreased mixing of Atlantic and Pacific water Masses, the formation of North Atlantic Deep water and strengthening of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation, increased temperatures and evaporation in the North Atlantic, increased precipitation in Northern Hemisphere (NH) high latitudes, culminating in the intensification of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation (NHG) during the Pliocene, 3.2-2.7 Ma. Here we test this hypothesis using a fully coupled, fully dynamic oceanatmosphere general circulation model (GCM) with boundary conditions specific to the Pliocene, and a high resolution dynamic ice sheet model. We carry out two GCM simulations with ''closed'' and ''open'' Panama Seaways, and use the simulated climatologies to force the ice sheet model. We find that the models support the ''Panama Hypothesis'' in as much as the closure of the seaway results in a more intense Atlantic thermohaline circulation, enhanced precipitation over Greenland and North America, and ultimately larger ice sheets. However, the volume difference between the ice sheets in the ''closed'' and ''open'' configurations is small, equivalent to about 5 cm of sea level. We conclude that although the closure of the Panama Seaway may have slightly enhanced or advanced the onset of NHG, it was not a major forcing mechanism. Future work must fully couple the ice sheet model and GCM, and investigate the role of orbital and CO2 effects in controlling NHG. |