The impact of paleogeography and atmospheric CO2 concentrations on Miocene warmth in AWI-ESM

Proxy records from the Miocene epoch (∼23‐5 Ma) indicate a warmer climate than today with a reduced meridional temperature gradient. These characteristics have been partly attributed to atmospheric CO₂ changes and differences in the tectonic setting. In this contribution we present climate simulations using the complex coupled earth system model AWI-ESM2  for Miocene boundary conditions to investigate the impact of different atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and paleogeographic configurations.  Besides investigating their individual contribution, we will also examine the combination of both forcing factors and differences that arise from different orographic and bathymetric reconstructions. We will discuss implications for global and meridional temperature responses, as well as sea ice changes and high latitude ocean ventilation.