Modelling of climatic changes caused by rift-flank uplift

该项目应用气候模型模拟隆起的裂谷侧翼对全球和非洲区域气候的影响。两种类型的模型将用于这些实验。将使用三维大气-海洋环流耦合模式ECHO-G来测试全球环流对地形、大陆分布和轨道参数等若干外部因素的敏感性。特别是，在最小值和最大值的裂谷侧面高度的实验将揭示这一功能的意义。此外，将使用以德国气象局Lokal-Modell为基础的区域气候模型CLM，提供关于降水模式和其他地方特征的更详细的信息。区域模拟还将考虑植被和湖泊分布的变化。这些模型将根据从合作项目获得的数据进行验证。模拟将与动态模拟项目D2密切合作进行，该项目将提供不同时期地形的时间发展信息，并将使用模拟的降水率来估计侵蚀率。分析结果的一项重要任务是将观测到的区域气候变化归因于区域和非区域原因，并比较不同原因的相关性。

This project applies climate models to simulate the effect of uplifted rift flanks on global and African regional climate. Two types of models will be used for these experiments. The coupled threedimensional atmosphere ocean general circulation model ECHO-G will be used to test the sensitivity of the global general circulation to several external factors, like topography, the distribution of the continents and orbital parameters. In particular, experiments with rift-flank height at minimum and maximum values will reveal the significance of this feature. Additionally, the regional climate model CLM, which is based on the Lokal-Modell of the German Weather Service, will be used to give more detailed information about precipitation patterns and other local features. The regional simulations will also consider changes in vegetation and lake distribution. The models will be validated against the data obtained from the collaborating projects. The simulations will be performed in close co-operation with the dynamic modelling Project D2, which will provide information of the temporal development of the topography at different times and which will use simulated precipitation rates to estimate erosion rates. An important task in the analysis of the results will be the attribution of observed regional climate changes to regional and non-regional causes as well as the comparison of the relevance of different causes.