Scientists have simulated Earth's climate over the past 800,000 years using a sophisticated climate model.
This research, employing the Community Earth System Model (CESM1.2.2), explores how orbital forcing, greenhouse gas concentrations, and ice sheet volumes have influenced climate.
The study reveals the intricate interplay of these factors, providing insights into long-term climate patterns and the sensitivity of the Earth's climate system.
The simulations used the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM) to generate ice sheet data, enhancing the accuracy of the climate models.
The researchers used an orbital acceleration method to compress the timescale, allowing for efficient simulation of the 800,000-year period.
Single-forcing experiments were conducted to isolate the effects of ice sheets, orbital parameters, and greenhouse gases.
The results highlight the complex interactions within the climate system and contribute to a deeper understanding of past climate changes.