Reconstructing early Eocene (~55 Ma) paleogeographic boundary conditions for use in paleoclimate modelling

The early Eocene is a warm period with very high atmospheric CO₂ levels, which receives many interests from climate modelling aspects. To simulate the early Eocene paleoclimate, a realistic reconstruction for land-sea distribution, paleotopography and paleobathymetry is the fundamental step. Here, we present global paleogeographic reconstructions for the early Eocene (~55 Ma), based on integrated paleogeographic data set, the Plate-tectonic reconstruction software (GPlates) and Geographic Information System software (ArcGIS). Comparing with previous paleogeographic reconstructions, we improve the reconstructions incorporated many latest geologic data and data set, including: (1) better representations of the Tethys Sea, some marginal or inland seas in the East and Southeast Asia, Atlantic and Arctic region, and the Drake Passage and Tasmanian Gateway; (2) integrated paleoelevation data of global high plateaus and mountains, especially the paleotopography of East Asia, and adopting the latest paleotopographic reconstruction data of the Antarctic; and (3) using the updated data set of oceanic crust paleo-age and oceanic sediment thickness to reconstruct the paleobathymetry.