Annually resolved North Atlantic marine climate over the last millennium

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13502
• Publication Date: 2016-12-06T10:13:22Z
• Authors: D. J. Reynolds; J. D. Scourse; P. R. Halloran; A. J. Nederbragt; A. D. Wanamaker; P. G. Butler; C. A. Richardson; J. Heinemeier; J. Eiríksson; K. L. Knudsen; I. R. Hall
• Keywords: Forcing (mathematics)

Abstract Owing to the lack of absolutely dated oceanographic information before modern instrumental period, there is currently significant debate as role played by North Atlantic Ocean dynamics in previous climate transitions (for example, Medieval Climate Anomaly-Little Ice Age, MCA-LIA). Here we present analyses a millennial-length, annually resolved and marine δ 18 O archive. We interpret our record oxygen isotope ratios from shells long-lived bivalve Arctica islandica (δ O-shell), Icelandic shelf, relation seawater density variability demonstrate that solar volcanic forcing coupled with ocean circulation are key drivers over last millennium. During pre-industrial period (AD 1000–1800) sub-polar leads changes Northern Hemisphere surface air temperatures at multi-decadal timescales, indicating an active modulating response atmosphere forcing.