The strength, position, and width changes of the intertropical convergence zone since the Last Glacial Maximum

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217064120
• Publication Date: 2023-11-06T20:36:08Z
• Authors: Shufang Yuan; Hong-Wei Chiang; Guangxin Liu; Satria Bijaksana; Shaoneng He; Xiuyang Jiang; Andi M. Imran; Satrio A. Wicaksono; Xianfeng Wang
• Keywords: Intertropical Convergence Zone; Speleothem; Hadley cell; Last Glacial Maximum; Paleoclimatology

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) plays a key role in regulating tropical hydroclimate and global water cycle through changes its convection strength, latitudinal position, width. long-term variability of the ITCZ, along with corresponding driving mechanisms, however, remains obscure, mainly because it is difficult to separate different ITCZ variables paleoclimate proxy records. Here, we report speleothem oxygen isotope (δ 18 O) record from southwestern Sulawesi, Indonesia, compile other records Maritime Continent. Using spatial gradient δ O transect across constrain variabilities over Continent during past 30,000 y. We find that strength overall intensified last glacial period Holocene, following climate boundary conditions. mean position regional has moved latitudinally no more than 3° y, consistent deduction atmospheric energy framework. However, modern observations model simulations for future warming, appeared narrower both late Holocene most part period, expansion occurred Heinrich stadials early-to-mid Holocene. also deglacial prominent millennial-scale were closely tied Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), whereas they predominantly modulated by Walker circulation.