"Paleoclimate Perspectives on Great Plains Extreme Weather From Water Isotopes"
SPEAKER: Dr. Chijun Sun - NCAR/EOL ASP Postdoc
DATE: June 28, 2022
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 pm MST
QUESTIONS: Slido will be used to answer your questions during the seminar.
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ABSTRACT
Springtime mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) provide the Great Plains with abundant precipitation but can also cause severe natural disasters. However, mechanisms driving changes in MCS activity remain unclear, leading to large uncertainties in our prediction for future changes. Here we investigate the long-term MCS variability using a 20,000-year-long hydrogen isotope record of sedimentary plant wax from central Texas. This approach is based on our observation of modern precipitation that its isotopic value mainly reflects the magnitude of MCSs. Using transient climate model simulations, we show that past periods with enhanced MCS activity are dynamically associated with springtime land surface warming.
For more information or questions, reach out to EOL Seminar Series Coordinator Jacquie Witte.
