Terrestrial Variations Within Given Energy, Mass and Momentum Budgets; Paleoclimate, Sea Level, Paleomagnetism, Differential Rotation and Geodynamics

Abstract

It has been claimed that certain terrestrial variables record solar variability. This need not be true, however. The proposed correlation between atmospheric 14C production and paleoclimate is shown to be untenable. It is demonstrated that the variations in climate, sea level and paleomagnetism can be fully understood in terms of variations within given budgets of energy, mass and momentum. It is the redistribution of heat and mass and the interchange of momentum that primarily drive the terrestrial variables. The relations are tested both among pre-instrumental paleo-records and among present-day instrumental records. Even the main changes in seismic and volcanic activity can be analysed in this context. The same applies for certain long-term records. Despite complexity and interaction between multiple variables, it all leads back to a “simple” matter of mass, energy and momentum.