A North–South Dipole Response of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone During the Mid-Holocene

Minn Lin Wong*, David S. Battisti, Xiaojuan Liu, Qinghua Ding, Xianfeng Wang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) profoundly modulates precipitation from central to southeastern Brazil in the present-day climate. However, the understanding of its long-term behavior responding to various climate forcings remains limited. Here, we use an isotope-enabled atmospheric general circulation model (ECHAM4.6) to examine the precipitation response of the SACZ during the mid-Holocene about six thousand years ago. The model simulates a northward intensification of the SACZ in the mid-Holocene, resulting in a dipole anomaly pattern relative to today's climate. The mid-Holocene precipitation increased along the northern margin of the SACZ due to the strengthening of easterly winds across the tropical Atlantic, while an eastward deflection of the South American low-level jet reduced moisture transport to southern Brazil, resulting in reduced precipitation along the southern margins of the SACZ. The north–south dipole response in precipitation is consistent with the mid-Holocene hydroclimate change observed in proxy records from the region.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2023GL105130
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume50
Issue number23
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 16 2023
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023. The Authors.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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