The AMOC influences surface temperature and precipitation patterns around the globe by regulating the transport of heat, freshwater and carbon. The AMOC – e.g. its overall strength, the contributions of different water masses and the locations where deep waters are formed and ventilated - have varied significantly in the past, impacting not only North Atlantic climate but also other regions through both atmospheric and oceanic teleconnections. The mechanisms leading to these changes in AMOC are still poorly constrained. Our ability to predict anthropogenic climate change, therefore, depends critically on our understanding of AMOC structure, variability and sensitivity to past climate changes. This session aims to bring together paleoproxy records (e.g., d13C, 231Pa/230Th, and εNd, among others), modelling studies, as well as novel methodologies that combine both approaches, to characterize the spatial structure and temporal variability of the AMOC on all timescales and advance our understanding of its impact on climate and biogeochemistry.

Invited speakers: Jerry McManus (jmcmanus@ldeo.columbia.edu) and Bette Otto-Bliesner (ottobli@ucar.edu).