A novel conceptual model for Dansgaard–Oeschger event dynamics based on ice-core data

<p>This study introduces a novel dynamical systems model designed to capture the highly non-periodic nature of Dansgaard–Oeschger (DO) events. Such events are difficult to model adequately due to their variable durations (some lasting around 1 century, while others span multiple millennia) and...

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Main Authors: J. O. Melcher, S. Halkjær, P. Ditlevsen, P. L. Langen, G. Vettoretti, S. O. Rasmussen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-01-01
Series:Climate of the Past
Online Access:https://cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/115/2025/cp-21-115-2025.pdf
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author J. O. Melcher
S. Halkjær
P. Ditlevsen
P. L. Langen
G. Vettoretti
S. O. Rasmussen
author_facet J. O. Melcher
S. Halkjær
P. Ditlevsen
P. L. Langen
G. Vettoretti
S. O. Rasmussen
author_sort J. O. Melcher
collection DOAJ
description <p>This study introduces a novel dynamical systems model designed to capture the highly non-periodic nature of Dansgaard–Oeschger (DO) events. Such events are difficult to model adequately due to their variable durations (some lasting around 1 century, while others span multiple millennia) and the occurrence of short precursor events that precede longer DO events despite similar boundary climate conditions. Utilising a simplified two-equation framework derived from the Stommel model, our approach integrates an internal control parameter which acts as a feedback parameter on the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) formation. Through both analytical and numerical methods, we establish a suitable parameter domain within which the newly adjusted models can accurately replicate the palaeoclimatic records of DO events as described by summary statistics derived from ice-core data. The analysis also shows that, without the novel control parameter, the model does not have a suitable parameter domain in which it can reproduce the wide range of event characteristics seen in the ice-core record. The study provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms driving these highly significant climate phenomena and the necessary timescale in which they are forced by allowing the new model's parameters to vary through time. This allows our model to achieve unprecedented precision in capturing a realistic sequence of DO events with timing characteristics matching those of the observational record. This refined model not only enhances our understanding of the DO cycles but also demonstrates the potential of simple dynamical systems to simulate complex climate interactions.</p>
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language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-f50cca1e5fcd43c8a6b49b24ee3a103a2025-01-16T14:20:09ZengCopernicus PublicationsClimate of the Past1814-93241814-93322025-01-012111513210.5194/cp-21-115-2025A novel conceptual model for Dansgaard–Oeschger event dynamics based on ice-core dataJ. O. Melcher0S. Halkjær1P. Ditlevsen2P. L. Langen3G. Vettoretti4S. O. Rasmussen5Physics of Ice, Climate and Earth, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkPhysics of Ice, Climate and Earth, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkPhysics of Ice, Climate and Earth, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkDepartment of Environmental Science, iClimate, Aarhus University, Roskilde, DenmarkPhysics of Ice, Climate and Earth, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkPhysics of Ice, Climate and Earth, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark<p>This study introduces a novel dynamical systems model designed to capture the highly non-periodic nature of Dansgaard–Oeschger (DO) events. Such events are difficult to model adequately due to their variable durations (some lasting around 1 century, while others span multiple millennia) and the occurrence of short precursor events that precede longer DO events despite similar boundary climate conditions. Utilising a simplified two-equation framework derived from the Stommel model, our approach integrates an internal control parameter which acts as a feedback parameter on the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) formation. Through both analytical and numerical methods, we establish a suitable parameter domain within which the newly adjusted models can accurately replicate the palaeoclimatic records of DO events as described by summary statistics derived from ice-core data. The analysis also shows that, without the novel control parameter, the model does not have a suitable parameter domain in which it can reproduce the wide range of event characteristics seen in the ice-core record. The study provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms driving these highly significant climate phenomena and the necessary timescale in which they are forced by allowing the new model's parameters to vary through time. This allows our model to achieve unprecedented precision in capturing a realistic sequence of DO events with timing characteristics matching those of the observational record. This refined model not only enhances our understanding of the DO cycles but also demonstrates the potential of simple dynamical systems to simulate complex climate interactions.</p>https://cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/115/2025/cp-21-115-2025.pdf
spellingShingle J. O. Melcher
S. Halkjær
P. Ditlevsen
P. L. Langen
G. Vettoretti
S. O. Rasmussen
A novel conceptual model for Dansgaard–Oeschger event dynamics based on ice-core data
Climate of the Past
title A novel conceptual model for Dansgaard–Oeschger event dynamics based on ice-core data
title_full A novel conceptual model for Dansgaard–Oeschger event dynamics based on ice-core data
title_fullStr A novel conceptual model for Dansgaard–Oeschger event dynamics based on ice-core data
title_full_unstemmed A novel conceptual model for Dansgaard–Oeschger event dynamics based on ice-core data
title_short A novel conceptual model for Dansgaard–Oeschger event dynamics based on ice-core data
title_sort novel conceptual model for dansgaard oeschger event dynamics based on ice core data
url https://cp.copernicus.org/articles/21/115/2025/cp-21-115-2025.pdf
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