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Title: Mid-Holocene Antarctic sea-ice increase driven by marine ice sheet retreat

Journal Article · · Climate of the Past
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1-2021· OSTI ID:1755781

Abstract. Over recent decades Antarctic sea-ice extent has increased, alongside widespread ice shelf thinning and freshening of waters along the Antarctic margin. In contrast, Earth system models generally simulate a decrease in sea ice. Circulation of water masses beneath large-cavity ice shelves is not included in current Earth System models and may be a driver of this phenomena. We examine a Holocene sediment core off East Antarctica that records the Neoglacial transition, the last major baseline shift of Antarctic sea ice, and part of a late-Holocene global cooling trend. We provide a multi-proxy record of Holocene glacial meltwater input, sediment transport, and sea-ice variability. Our record, supported by high-resolution ocean modelling, shows that a rapid Antarctic sea-ice increase during the mid-Holocene (∼ 4.5 ka) occurred against a backdrop of increasing glacial meltwater input and gradual climate warming. We suggest that mid-Holocene ice shelf cavity expansion led to cooling of surface waters and sea-ice growth that slowed basal ice shelf melting. Incorporating this feedback mechanism into global climate models will be important for future projections of Antarctic changes.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); Natural Environment Research Council; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS); NZ Marsden Fund; National Science Foundation (NSF); Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0016105; NE/L002493/1; Ne/I00646X/1; L-11523; 18-VUW-089; 15-VUW-131; CTM2017- 89711-C2-1-P; PLR-1443347; ACI-154856
OSTI ID:
1755781
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1852098
Journal Information:
Climate of the Past, Journal Name: Climate of the Past Vol. 17 Journal Issue: 1; ISSN 1814-9332
Publisher:
Copernicus GmbHCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Germany
Language:
English

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