Studies of multiple equilibria in ocean-atmosphere-ice simulations of aquaplanets

一系列中间耦合气候模式将被用来研究气候系统的多种平衡态，海洋热输送在调节稳定冰盖可以延伸的纬度范围中的作用，以及平衡态的稳定性。模型框架是一个水生行星的大气、海洋和海冰耦合模型，其中海洋环流和陆地范围的几何约束由一系列障碍来表示。海洋环流的关键组成部分，如副热带涡旋、纬向急流和经向翻转环流，将通过改变海洋中的几何屏障来控制。然后将考察它们对耦合系统的平均状态以及维持极地冰盖和多种平衡状态的能力的影响。该提案涉及地球的能量平衡、维持极地海冰的过程、与海洋的相互作用以及耦合气候系统的多重平衡等基本问题。

An hierarchy of intermediate coupled climate models will be used to investigate multiple equilibrium states of the climate system, the role of ocean heat transport in mediating the latitudinal range over which stable ice caps can extend, and the stability of the equilibrium states. The modeling framework is a coupled atmosphere, ocean and sea-ice model of an aquaplanet where the geometrical constraints on ocean circulation and extent of land are represented by a sequence of barriers. Key components of the ocean circulation, such as subtropical gyres, zonal jets, and meridional overturning circulation will be controlled by altering the geometrical barriers in the ocean. Their impacts on the mean state of the coupled system and its ability to sustain polar ice caps and multiple equilibrium states will then be examined. The proposal addresses fundamental questions about the energy balance of the planet, the processes that sustain polar sea-ice, interaction with the ocean and multiple equilibrium of the coupled climate system.