NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — A groundbreaking study by Hebrew University scientists has shed light on a previously unknown mechanism that plays an important role in shaping the Earth‘s climate. The study , led by PhD candidate Kaushal Gianchandani in collaboration with experts from the University of Bristol (UK), examines the relationship between the geometry of ocean basins and climate during the Cretaceous period.
During the Cretaceous period, which lasted from 145 to 66 million years ago, the Earth experienced high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This led to climate warming and the emergence of diverse species of plants and animals. The researchers focused on how large ocean eddies, known as the gyral circulation, influenced temperature differences between the tropics and the poles during this period.
Using an innovative analytical model developed by a team at Hebrew University two years ago, the researchers analyzed wind circulation at the ocean surface and its relationship to the geometry of ocean basins. The study, published in the journal Nature Communication, showed that the movement of continents during the Cretaceous period caused these eddy ocean currents to slow down.
This slowdown disrupted the regulation of surface temperatures, leading to a significant increase in the temperature difference between the poles and the tropics. The researchers used computer models to simulate ancient climate conditions and confirm their findings. The results of the study are consistent with geological data from the Cretaceous period, which allows us to gain a more complete understanding of past climate dynamics.
Professor Nathan Paldor, one of the study’s co-authors, explains the significance of the findings: “Understanding past climate dynamics is critical to predicting future climate change. Our study highlights the role of ocean basin geometry in shaping Earth’s climate and provides valuable insight into how changes in ocean currents can influence temperature differences in different regions.”
Experts in the field praised the study’s innovative approach and contribution to climate science. Dr Alexander Farnsworth, co-author of the paper from the University of Bristol, emphasizes the importance of studying past climate dynamics: “By unraveling the complexity of ancient climate systems, we can gain valuable insights into how our planet responds to changes in greenhouse gas levels. This knowledge is essential for developing effective strategies on climate change mitigation.”
The study’s findings have broader implications for understanding and predicting future climate patterns. As Professor David Lunt, another co-author of the paper from the University of Bristol, explains, “Our research provides new insights into how changes in ocean currents may influence temperature gradients across the globe. Such understanding will be critical for accurate modeling and forecasting future climate scenarios.”
This groundbreaking study not only reveals a previously unknown mechanism for influencing Earth’s climate during the Cretaceous, but also highlights the importance of ocean basin geometry in shaping climate dynamics. Combining innovative analytical models with computer simulations has allowed researchers to gain valuable insights into past climate patterns and their implications for the future.
—
Online:
News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.
To eliminate any confusion arising from different time zones and daylight saving changes, all times displayed on our platforms are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).