Characterisation of Atlantic meridional overturning hysteresis using Langevin dynamics

Jelle Van Den Berk*, Sybren Drijfhout, Wilco Hazeleger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Hysteresis diagrams of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) under freshwater forcing from climate models of intermediate complexity are fitted to a simple model based on the Langevin equation. A total of six parameters are sufficient to quantitatively describe the collapses seen in these simulations. Reversing the freshwater forcing results in asymmetric behaviour that is less well captured and appears to require a more complicated model. The Langevin model allows for comparison between models that display an AMOC collapse. Differences between the climate models studied here are mainly due to the strength of the stable AMOC and the strength of the response to a freshwater forcing.

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Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)69-81
Number of pages13
JournalEarth System Dynamics
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Jan 2021

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