Reconstruction of the Pacific Marine ITCZ over the Last Glacial Cycle

对于热带气候系统的组成部分热带辐合带（ITCZ）在不同的边界条件下的反应，现有的数据和模式呈现出一幅令人困惑的画面。这项研究验证了一个假设，即太平洋海洋ITCZ在冰川时期向南移动，甚至可能在赤道以下。利用一种创新的方法（测量在光带底部钙化的浮游有孔虫上测量的氧同位素比率），研究人员重建了分隔北赤道流和北赤道逆流的温跃层脊的位置变化。这个山脊目前就位于现在的ITCZ北部。重点是地球过去15万年的历史。资金支持研究生的教育和培训，以及本科生和高中生参与研究。

Existing data and models present a confusing picture of how the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), an integral part of the tropical climate system, responds under different boundary conditions. This research tests the hypothesis that the Pacific Marine ITCZ shifts to the south, and perhaps even below the equator, during glacial times. Using an innovative approach (measuring oxygen isotope ratios measured on planktonic foraminifera that calcify at the base of the photic zone) the researchers reconstruct changes in the position of the thermocline ridge that separates the North Equatorial Current from the North Equatorial Countercurrent. This ridge is currently situated just north of the modern ITCZ. The focus is on the last 150,000 years of Earth history. Funding supports education and training of a graduate student as well as involvement of undergraduates and high school students in research.