Lake-Atmosphere Feedbacks Associated with Paleolakes Bonneville and Lahontan

• DOI: 10.1126/science.263.5147.665
• Publication Date: 2006-10-06T00:01:25Z
• Authors: S. W. Hostetler; F. Giorgi; G. T. Bates; P. J. Bartlein
• Keywords: Atmospheric Circulation

A high-resolution, regional climate model nested within a general circulation was used to study the interactions between atmosphere and large Pleistocene lakes in Great Basin of United States. Simulations for January July 18,000 years ago indicate that moisture provided by synoptic-scale atmospheric features primary component hydrologic budgets Lakes Lahontan Bonneville. In addition, lake-generated precipitation substantial budget Lake Bonneville at time. This local lake-atmosphere interaction may help explain differences relative sizes these ago.