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Evidence for warmer interglacials in East Antarctic ice cores

Author

Listed:
  • L. C. Sime

    (British Antarctic Survey)

  • E. W. Wolff

    (British Antarctic Survey)

  • K. I. C. Oliver

    (The Open University
    Present address: School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.)

  • J. C. Tindall

    (School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road)

Abstract

Interglacials get warmer Reconstructions of temperature variations from Antarctic ice cores rely on the assumption that the relationship between hydrogen and oxygen isotopic ratios and temperature are stable in space and time. Sime et al. analyse three 340,000-year-old ice cores from East Antarctica and use an isotope-enabled general circulation model to show that instead, the relationship is nonlinear. During warm periods, the ratios are less sensitive to temperature, so previous estimates of interglacial temperatures are likely to be about 3 °C too low. This is consistent with peak Antarctic interglacial temperatures at least 6 °C higher than today. This work suggests that there are serious deficiencies in our understanding of climates that are warmer than today's.

Suggested Citation

  • L. C. Sime & E. W. Wolff & K. I. C. Oliver & J. C. Tindall, 2009. "Evidence for warmer interglacials in East Antarctic ice cores," Nature, Nature, vol. 462(7271), pages 342-345, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:462:y:2009:i:7271:d:10.1038_nature08564
    DOI: 10.1038/nature08564
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