The Climate Journal Club will discuss two papers which focus on the Eocene "greenhouse" climate and the data-model mismatch. 

For more information, please contact Gordon.Inglis@bristol.ac.uk

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Gordon Inglis has suggested two short papers which focus on the Eocene "greenhouse" climate and the data-model mismatch.  Below is a brief synopsis of each:

Paper 1: http://geology.gsapubs.org/content/35/3/211.full.pdf+html

This paper argues for stable and warm sea surface temperatures (30-35degreesC) at low-latitudes throughout the entire Eocene. It also deals with the diagenesis of forams which has implications for the temperature record.

Paper 2: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v461/n7265/full/nature08399.html

This paper argues for warm sea surface temperatures at high-latitudes during the early Eocene (30 degreesC) and then gradual cooling during the mid-late Eocene (20degreesC).

Here a few things to think about:

• can the ocean function with a markedly reduced latitudinal temperature gradient (i.e. 30degreesC at the pole and at the equator!) and if so, how?
• why do models struggle to predict high SST at high latitudes (see this modelling perspective if interested...although it is long! http://www.clim-past-discuss.net/7/241/2011/cpd-7-241-2011-print.pdf)
• if it is not the models fault, can we rely on the proxies?
• if we have time, what is forcing the Eocene cooling? CO2 drawdown? Gateway configuration? Biological pump?