Synchronization phenomena observed in glacial–interglacial cycles simulated in an Earth system model of intermediate complexity

Abstract ∼ 2 degassing and regolith cover. We report that, in this model, the dominant frequency of glacial cycles is set in line with the principle of synchronization. It is found that the model exhibits self-sustained oscillations in the absence of astronomical forcing. Before the MPT, glacial cycles synchronize to the 41 kyr obliquity cycles because the self-sustained oscillations have periodicity relatively close to 41 kyr. After the MPT the timescale of internal oscillations becomes too long to follow every 41 kyr obliquity cycle, and the oscillations synchronize to the 100 kyr eccentricity cycles that modulate the amplitude of climatic precession. The latter synchronization occurs with the help of the 41 kyr obliquity forcing, which enables some terminations and glaciations to occur robustly at their right timing. We term this phenomenon vibration-enhanced synchronization because of its similarity to the noise-enhanced synchronization known in nonlinear science. While we interpret the dominant periodicities of glacial cycles as the result of synchronization of internal self-sustained oscillations to the astronomical forcing, the Quaternary glacial cycles show facets of both synchronization and forced response.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Synchronization phenomena observed in glacial–interglacial cycles simulated in an Earth system model of intermediate complexity ; volume:14 ; number:6 ; year:2023 ; pages:1277-1294 ; extent:18 ; Earth System Dynamics ; 14, Heft 6 (2023), 1277-1294 (gesamt 18)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Mitsui, Takahito ; Willeit, Matteo ; Boers, Niklas

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/esd-14-1277-2023
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023121403194878232814
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:31 AM CEST