Drivers of the Evolution and Amplitude of African Humid Periods

Explore the drivers behind the evolution and amplitude of African Humid Periods in this 29-minute lecture by Laurie Menviel from PCS Institute for Basic Science. Delve into the climatic processes controlling the initiation, demise, and amplitude of these periods using transient simulations of the penultimate deglaciation and Last Interglacial period. Examine the role of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in the abrupt initiation of African Humid Periods and how Northern Hemispheric ice-sheets impact their peak. Compare results with a transient simulation of the last deglaciation and Holocene to understand the differences in onset timing. Investigate how the mean climate state affects precipitation variability and gain insights into the complex interplay of factors influencing these significant climatic events in Africa's history.

Intro
The Last Integration
Numerical Simulation
Hydrological Cycle
West African Monsoon
Simulation Results
Atlantic Mary Journal Returning Circulation
Sensitivity Experiments
SST Gradient
Conclusion
Questions
North Atlantic cooling
Benguela warming
Outro