Synchronous Tropical South China Sea SST Change and Greenland Warming During Deglaciation

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1057131
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:47:44Z
• Authors: M. Kienast; S. Steinke; K. Stattegger; S. E. Calvert
• Keywords: Deglaciation; Alkenone; Abrupt climate change; Last Glacial Maximum; Ice core

The tropical ocean plays a major role in global climate. It is therefore crucial to establish the precise phase between and high-latitude climate variability during past abrupt events order gain insight into mechanisms of change. Here we present alkenone sea surface temperature (SST) records from South China Sea that show an increase at least 1°C end last glacial period. Within recognized dating uncertainties, this SST synchronous with Bølling warming observed 14.6 thousand years ago Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2 ice core.