Sensitivities of cryospheric models to insolation and temperature variations using a surface energy balance.

Abstract

A zonally averaged dynamic continental ice sheet model and a thermodynamic sea ice model are used to examine the sensitivity of the cryosphere to variations in insolation and temperature on Milankovitch time scales. Continental ice sheet model results indicate that, with the present zonally averaged energy balance calculation, an ice sheet, once formed, fluctuates little in latitudinal extent. Sea ice model results indicate the magnitude of the energy exchange between the ocean and atmosphere can vary greatly between ice-covered and ice-free conditions. -from Author