Dynamic sea level changes following changes in the thermohaline circulation
摘要
Using the coupled climate model CLIMBER-3a, we investigate changes in sea surface elevation due to a weakening of the thermohaline circulation (THC). In addition to a global sea level rise due to a warming of the deep sea, this leads to a regional dynamic sea level change which follows quasi-instantaneously any change in the ocean circulation. We show that the magnitude of this dynamic effect can locally reach up to ~1m, depending on the initial THC strength. In some regions the rate of change can be up to 20-25 mm/yr. The emerging patterns are discussed with respect to the oceanic circulation changes. Most prominent is a south-north gradient reflecting the changes in geostrophic surface currents. Our results suggest that an analysis of observed sea level change patterns could be useful for monitoring the THC strength.
引用
@article{arxiv.physics/0408062,
title = {Dynamic sea level changes following changes in the thermohaline circulation},
author = {Anders Levermann and Alexa Griesel and Matthias Hofmann and Marisa Montoya and Stefan Rahmstorf},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0408062},
year = {2009}
}
备注
Climate Dynamics (2004), submitted. See also http://www.pik-potsdam.de/~anders