The Cretaceous period (-145 to -66 million years ago, Ma) shows a non-monotonically increasing meridional sea surface temperature (SST) gradient from the Valanginian (-135 Ma) to the Maastrichtian (-68 Ma). This study uses paleoclimate simulations to compare the effects of atmospheric CO₂ variability and paleogeographic changes on this mid-latitudinal SST gradient. A simple model of wind-driven ocean gyres is used to demonstrate how paleogeographic changes weakened subtropical gyre circulation, increasing extratropical SSTs. The results suggest that paleogeographic changes had a greater impact on the mid-latitudinal temperature gradient during the Cretaceous than long-term changes in pCO₂.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Aug 25, 2023
Authors
Kaushal Gianchandani, Sagi Maor, Ori Adam, Alexander Farnsworth, Hezi Gildor, Daniel J. Lunt, Nathan Paldor
Tags
Cretaceous period
sea surface temperature
paleoclimate simulations
atmospheric CO₂
paleogeographic changes
ocean gyres
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