Earth Sciences

Subsurface ocean warming preceded Heinrich Events

L. Max, D. Nürnberg, et al.

This research by Lars Max, Dirk Nürnberg, Cristiano M. Chiessi, Marlene M. Lenz, and Stefan Mulitza uncovers the intriguing link between subsurface ocean warming and the instabilities of the Laurentide Ice-Sheet during Heinrich Events. Their findings could have significant implications for understanding future climate dynamics and Arctic glacier stability.

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Abstract

This study investigates the mechanism driving Laurentide Ice-Sheet instabilities during Heinrich Events. Foraminifera-based subsurface ocean temperature and salinity reconstructions from the western subpolar North Atlantic reveal consistent rapid subsurface ocean warming preceding each Heinrich Event over the last 27,000 years. This supports the hypothesis that heat accumulation near the critical depth triggered melting of marine-terminating ice sheet portions, leading to Heinrich Events. The subsurface warming correlates with weakened Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), suggesting a precursor role for ocean circulation changes in initiating ice-sheet instabilities. Future AMOC weakening might cause accelerated subpolar Atlantic warming, impacting Arctic glacier stability and the North Atlantic freshwater budget.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Jul 21, 2022

Authors

Lars Max, Dirk Nürnberg, Cristiano M. Chiessi, Marlene M. Lenz, Stefan Mulitza