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Simulating the mid-Pliocene climate with the MIROC general circulation model: experimental design and initial results
W.-L. Chan1, A. Abe-Ouchi1,2, and R. Ohgaito2
1Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
2Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokohama, Japan
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Abstract. Recently, PlioMIP (Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project) was established to assess the ability
of various climate models to simulate the mid-Pliocene warm period (MPWP), 3.29–2.97 million years
ago. We use MIROC4m, a fully coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (AOGCM), and its
atmospheric component alone to simulate the MPWP, utilizing up-to-date data sets designated in
PlioMIP as boundary conditions and adhering to the protocols outlined. In this paper, a brief
description of the model is given, followed by an explanation of the experimental design and
implementation of the boundary conditions, such as topography and sea surface temperature. Initial
results show increases of approximately 10 °C in the zonal mean surface air temperature
at high latitudes accompanied by a decrease in the equator-to-pole temperature gradient.
Temperature in the tropical regions increase more in the AOGCM. However, warming of the AOGCM sea
surface in parts of the northern North Atlantic Ocean and Nordic Seas is less than that suggested by
proxy data. An investigation of the model-data discrepancies and further model intercomparison
studies can lead to a better understanding of the mid-Pliocene climate and of its role in assessing
future climate change.
 Notice on Discussion StatusThe requested discussion paper has a corresponding peer-reviewed
final revised paper in the journal Geoscientific Model Development (GMD). You are
encouraged to refer to the final revised version. Final Revised Paper (GMD) Discussion Paper (PDF, 15758 KB)
Citation: Chan, W.-L., Abe-Ouchi, A., and Ohgaito, R.: Simulating the mid-Pliocene climate with the MIROC general circulation model: experimental design and initial results, Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., 4, 2011-2046, doi:10.5194/gmdd-4-2011-2011, 2011. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
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