Paleoclimate Modeling Surface Boundary Conditions

Model Boundary Conditions

One of the most time consuming tasks facing researchers who use General Circulation Models (GCMs) in paleoclimate investigations is the production of surface boundary conditions for past time periods. Surface boundary conditions usually consist of, at a minimum, continental configurations, global elevations (i.e. topography and bathymetry), and a vegetation distribution. It is common for each individual researcher or research group to develop a unique set of boundary conditions for use in their simulations. Thus, unlike simulations of modern climate where there is some degree of comparison possible between simulations completed by multiple research groups, integration of studies across the broader paleoclimate community is hindered, as basic assumptions vary from researcher to researcher. Unless special changes to surface conditions are warranted, this is not the most efficient way to proceed in paleoclimate investigations. On this page we present post-publication surface boundary conditions (land-sea distribution, paleotopography, paleobathymetry, and paleovegetation distribution) that we have created for various past time periods. These boundary conditions are in NetCDF format and are appropriate for incorporation into numerical studies of Earth's climate. Boundary conditions for the following time periods are available upon request:

Climate and Earth Systems Research Group Department of Physical Sciences Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

About Courses Research People Publications Boundary Conditions Contact News	Model Boundary Conditions One of the most time consuming tasks facing researchers who use General Circulation Models (GCMs) in paleoclimate investigations is the production of surface boundary conditions for past time periods. Surface boundary conditions usually consist of, at a minimum, continental configurations, global elevations (i.e. topography and bathymetry), and a vegetation distribution. It is common for each individual researcher or research group to develop a unique set of boundary conditions for use in their simulations. Thus, unlike simulations of modern climate where there is some degree of comparison possible between simulations completed by multiple research groups, integration of studies across the broader paleoclimate community is hindered, as basic assumptions vary from researcher to researcher. Unless special changes to surface conditions are warranted, this is not the most efficient way to proceed in paleoclimate investigations. On this page we present post-publication surface boundary conditions (land-sea distribution, paleotopography, paleobathymetry, and paleovegetation distribution) that we have created for various past time periods. These boundary conditions are in NetCDF format and are appropriate for incorporation into numerical studies of Earth's climate. Boundary conditions for the following time periods are available upon request: Early Paleogene (~45 - 65 Ma) Early Aptian (~120 Ma) Early Albian (~110 Ma) Cenomanian/Turonian Boundary (~90 Ma) Campanian (~80 Ma) Early Maastrichtian (~70 Ma)