Seasonal Reconstructions of the Earth's Surface at LGM

Full Title: Seasonal Reconstructions of the Earth's Surface at the Last Glacial Maximum

Authors: CLIMAP Project Members


CLIMAP has reconstructed the Earth's surface at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), approximately 18,000 B.P. The parameters, presented in a series of maps, delineate (1) continental ice caps; (2) sea ice; (3) albedo; (4) sea level; (5) biotically defined surface water masses; and (6) sea-surface temperature (SST) expressed as isotherms, anomalies and seasonality. The LGM world differed from the modern in (a) increased continental ice extent and volume; (b) lowered sea level and decrease in oceanic surface area; (c) increased sea-ice cover in high latitudes; (d) increased surface albedo; and (e) decreased SST. The difference in SST between the LGM and present is greatest in the high latitudes, moderate in the equatorial and boundary current regions, and minimal in the central gyres. The LGM world is characterized by a compression of expanded polar seas and the subpolar and transitional surface water masses beneath the subtropical gyres, which form the thermally and geographically stable units of the oceanic-climatic system.

[ Table of Contents ]

Published: 4/01/1981

Pages: 18, plus 9 sheets

Product Category: EBooks

9.99