Primary Convener:
Chijun Sun, University of California Davis

Convener:
Sophia Macarewich, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research
Allison Lawman, Colorado College

Chair:
Chijun Sun, Tongji University
Sophia Macarewich, NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research

Abrupt climate changes have occurred at rates comparable to the ongoing anthropogenic warming throughout the Quaternary. Studies of these events provide critical insights into how the Earth System responds to abrupt shifts in the mean climate, but also reveal the spatiotemporal complexity of Earth System dynamics, the roles of different climate forcings (e.g., meltwater, ice sheets, volcanic emissions, solar radiation, isostatic adjustments, etc.), and the feedback mechanisms associated with these events. This session explores the causes, mechanisms, and impacts of past abrupt climate changes during the Quaternary (e.g., Dansgaard–Oeschger events, Heinrich events, the Younger Dryas, the 8.2 ka event, etc.), and how studies of these events may help us better understand future climate change. We welcome contributions that utilize geological and numerical approaches, including novel proxy data, climate model simulations, data assimilation, and new theoretical frameworks.

Index Terms
4901 Abrupt|rapid climate change
4938 Interhemispheric phasing
4960 Stadial
4962 Thermohaline

Cross-Listed:
C - Cryosphere
OS - Ocean Sciences

Neighborhoods:
3. Earth Covering