Tropical climate at the last glacial maximum inferred from glacier mass-balance modeling
January 1, 2000
Model-derived equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) of former tropical glaciers support arguments, based on other paleoclimate data, for both the magnitude and spatial pattern of terrestrial cooling in the tropics at the last glacial maximum (LGM). Relative to the present, LGM ELAs were maintained by air temperatures that were 3.5??to 6.6 ??C lower and precipitation that ranged from 63% wetter in Hawaii to 25% drier on Mt. Kenya, Africa. Our results imply the need for a ~3 ??C cooling of LGM sea surface temperatures in the western Pacific warm pool. Sensitivity tests suggest that LGM ELAs could have persisted until 16,000 years before the present in the Peruvian Andes and on Papua, New Guinea.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2000 |
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Title | Tropical climate at the last glacial maximum inferred from glacier mass-balance modeling |
DOI | 10.1126/science.290.5497.1747 |
Authors | S. W. Hostetler, P.U. Clark |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Science |
Index ID | 70022216 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |