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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Early Pliocene Tropical Cyclone SST Modeling Results

browse graphicPaleoclimatology - Modeling
This archived Paleoclimatology Study is available from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), under the World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology. The associated NCEI study type is Paleoclimatology Modeling. The data include parameters of paleoclimatic modeling with a geographic location of Global. The time period coverage is from 5000000 to 3000000 in calendar years before present (BP). See metadata information for parameter and study location details. Please cite this study when using the data.
  • Cite as: Fedorov, A.V.; Brierley, C.M.; Emanuel, K. (2012-11-09): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Early Pliocene Tropical Cyclone SST Modeling Results. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/ejb6-5455. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
noaa-model-13518
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Data Center Contact
NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology
828-271-4800
paleo@noaa.gov
Coverage Description Date Range: 5000000 cal yr BP to 3000000 cal yr BP;
Time Period -4998050 to -2998050
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -90
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Tropical cyclones and permanent El Nino in the early Pliocene epoch
    • Associated Reference published 2010
      Fedorov, Alexey V., Christopher M. Brierley, and Kerry Emanuel, 2010: Tropical cyclones and permanent El Nino in the early Pliocene epoch. Nature, 463, 1066-1071, 10.1038/nature08831
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2012-11-09
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Data update frequency not available
Supplemental Information
STUDY NOTES: This data set contains long-term average sea surface temperatures from the three different simulations included in figure 4 of Fedorov et al. 2010 Model results are presented in 3 netCDF files - Fedorovetal2010_co2_only.avg176-200.SST.nc, Fedorovetal2010_mixing_bands_and_co2.avg_176-200.SST.nc, Fedorovetal2010_preindustrial.SST.nc We reconstruct hurricane characteristics by completing several successive steps, including (1) reconstructing the SST field; (2) modelling the large-scale atmospheric circulation with a general circulation model (GCM); and (3) using the GCM data to drive a statistical downscaling model (SDSM), which computes synthetic hurricane tracks and intensity Latitudes of gridpoints included as variable TLAT in files (note data on gx1v3 rotated ocean grid) Longitudes of gridpoints included as variable TLONG in files (note data on gx1v3 rotated ocean grid) The simulations were performed with CCSM3 at T42_gx1v3 resolution in fully coupled mode. The preindustrial simulation is a continuation of NCARs preindustrial run. The increasing CO2 simulation raises the CO2 level from 280 to 355ppm instantaneously at the beginning of the simulation and is taken from the final 25 yrs of a 200 year long simulation. The hurricane mixing and CO2 run includes 355ppm of carbon dioxide as well as and additional 1cm2/s increase in the background vertical diffusivity between 8-40 degrees in both hemispheres Data generated in 2008 and 2009 by Chris Brierley on Yale's BulldogJ supercomputer
ABSTRACT SUPPLIED BY ORIGINATOR: Tropical cyclones (also known as hurricanes and typhoons) are now believed to be an important component of the Earth's climate system. In particular, by vigorously mixing the upper ocean, they can affect the ocean's heat uptake, poleward heat transport, and hence global temperatures. Changes in the distribution and frequency of tropical cyclones could therefore become an important element of the climate response to global warming. A potential analogue to modern greenhouse conditions, the climate of the early Pliocene epoch (approximately 5 to 3 million years ago) can provide important clues to this response. Here we describe a positive feedback between hurricanes and the upper-ocean circulation in the tropical Pacific Ocean that may have been essential for maintaining warm, El Nino-like conditions during the early Pliocene. This feedback is based on the ability of hurricanes to warm water parcels that travel towards the Equator at shallow depths and then resurface in the eastern equatorial Pacific as part of the ocean's wind-driven circulation. In the present climate, very few hurricane tracks intersect the parcel trajectories; consequently, there is little heat exchange between waters at such depths and the surface. More frequent and/or stronger hurricanes in the central Pacific imply greater heating of the parcels, warmer temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific, warmer tropics and, in turn, even more hurricanes. Using a downscaling hurricane model, we show dramatic shifts in the tropical cyclone distribution for the early Pliocene that favour this feedback. Further calculations with a coupled climate model support our conclusions. The proposed feedback should be relevant to past equable climates and potentially to contemporary climate change.
Purpose Computer simulations of past climate. Variables provided as model output are described by parameter keyword. In some cases the parameter keywords are a subset of all archived model output, and additional output is available upon request. Additional summary information can be found in the abstracts of papers listed in the dataset citations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Fedorov, A.V.; Brierley, C.M.; Emanuel, K. (2012-11-09): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Early Pliocene Tropical Cyclone SST Modeling Results. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/ejb6-5455. Accessed [date].
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Cited Authors
  • Fedorov, A.V.
  • Brierley, C.M.
  • Emanuel, K.
Originators
  • Fedorov, A.V.
  • Brierley, C.M.
  • Emanuel, K.
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Paleoclimate Reconstructions
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoclimatic modeling
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoclimatic modeling
  • earth science > paleoclimate > paleoclimatic modeling
  • earth science > paleoclimate > model > ocean model
  • ENSO
  • Hurricanes and Tropical Cyclones Reconstruction
  • Warm Pool
Paleoenvironmental Standard Terms (PaST) Thesaurus
  • What: latitude; Material: null
  • What: sea surface temperature; Material: null
  • What: longitude; Material: null
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global > Global > LATITUDE > LONGITUDE
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Fedorov, A.V.; Brierley, C.M.; Emanuel, K. (2012-11-09): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Early Pliocene Tropical Cyclone SST Modeling Results. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/ejb6-5455. Accessed [date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
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Last Modified: 2024-02-14
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