Pliocene Warming Gives Clues About Arctic's Future Climate
New research conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey suggests that the Arctic could face seasonally ice-free conditions and much warmer temperatures in the future. The conclusion is based on climate reconstructions of the mid-Piacenzian Age of the Pliocene Epoch, 3.3 to 3 million years ago. The findings will help refine climate models, which currently underestimate the rate of sea ice loss in the Arctic, the researchers say. Scientists documented evidence that the Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas were too warm to support summer sea ice during the mid-Pliocene warm period . This period is characterized by warm temperatures similar to those projected for the end of this century, and is used as an analog to understand future conditions. read more