Articles | Volume 17, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-2223-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-2223-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
21 Oct 2021
Research article |
| 21 Oct 2021
| 21 Oct 2021
Data-constrained assessment of ocean circulation changes since the middle Miocene in an Earth system model
Katherine A. Crichton
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
now at: School of Geography, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
Andy Ridgwell
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
Daniel J. Lunt
School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Alex Farnsworth
School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Paul N. Pearson
School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Cited
15 citations as recorded by crossref.
- What the geological past can tell us about the future of the ocean’s twilight zone K. Crichton et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37781-6
- System Architecture and Planetary Obliquity: Implications for Long-term Habitability P. Vervoort et al. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/ac87fd
- Simulation of the climate and ocean circulations in the Middle Miocene Climate Optimum by a coupled model FGOALS-g3 J. Wei et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111509
- Exploring the mechanisms of Devonian oceanic anoxia: impact of ocean dynamics, palaeogeography, and orbital forcing J. Gérard et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-239-2025
- Comparative mitochondrial genomics and phylogenetics for three Trachurus (Teleostei, Carangidae) species Z. Düzgüneş et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-026-01884-y
- Continental configuration controls ocean oxygenation during the Phanerozoic A. Pohl et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05018-z
- Stabilising millennial oscillations in large-scale ocean circulation with a delayed feedback due to a circumpolar current A. Keane et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physd.2025.134680
- Miocene evolution of the Humboldt Current J. Barron et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.113558
- Late Neogene evolution of modern deep-dwelling plankton F. Boscolo-Galazzo et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-743-2022
- A critical role of ocean–sea ice interactions in the pronounced warmth during the Miocene Climatic Optimum N. Tan et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03324-2
- Tracking Cretaceous to present day deep-sea sedimentary hiatuses driven by intensified bottom-water currents J. Hu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120134
- Slowing planetary rotation influences ocean nutrient cycling and oxygenation A. Capirala & S. Olson https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adw3368
- A Global Reassessment of the Spatial and Temporal Expression of the Late Miocene Biogenic Bloom Q. Pillot et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022PA004564
- Why the Early Paleozoic was intrinsically prone to marine extinction A. Pohl et al. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg7679
- Miocene ocean circulation shifted expansive oxygen deficient zones to the Atlantic J. Burke et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-73732-7
15 citations as recorded by crossref.
- What the geological past can tell us about the future of the ocean’s twilight zone K. Crichton et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37781-6
- System Architecture and Planetary Obliquity: Implications for Long-term Habitability P. Vervoort et al. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/ac87fd
- Simulation of the climate and ocean circulations in the Middle Miocene Climate Optimum by a coupled model FGOALS-g3 J. Wei et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111509
- Exploring the mechanisms of Devonian oceanic anoxia: impact of ocean dynamics, palaeogeography, and orbital forcing J. Gérard et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-239-2025
- Comparative mitochondrial genomics and phylogenetics for three Trachurus (Teleostei, Carangidae) species Z. Düzgüneş et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-026-01884-y
- Continental configuration controls ocean oxygenation during the Phanerozoic A. Pohl et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05018-z
- Stabilising millennial oscillations in large-scale ocean circulation with a delayed feedback due to a circumpolar current A. Keane et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physd.2025.134680
- Miocene evolution of the Humboldt Current J. Barron et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2026.113558
- Late Neogene evolution of modern deep-dwelling plankton F. Boscolo-Galazzo et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-743-2022
- A critical role of ocean–sea ice interactions in the pronounced warmth during the Miocene Climatic Optimum N. Tan et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03324-2
- Tracking Cretaceous to present day deep-sea sedimentary hiatuses driven by intensified bottom-water currents J. Hu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120134
- Slowing planetary rotation influences ocean nutrient cycling and oxygenation A. Capirala & S. Olson https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adw3368
- A Global Reassessment of the Spatial and Temporal Expression of the Late Miocene Biogenic Bloom Q. Pillot et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022PA004564
- Why the Early Paleozoic was intrinsically prone to marine extinction A. Pohl et al. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg7679
- Miocene ocean circulation shifted expansive oxygen deficient zones to the Atlantic J. Burke et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-73732-7
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 13 Sep 2026
Short summary
The middle Miocene (15 Ma) was a period of global warmth up to 8 °C warmer than present. We investigate changes in ocean circulation and heat distribution since the middle Miocene and the cooling to the present using the cGENIE Earth system model. We create seven time slices at ~2.5 Myr intervals, constrained with paleo-proxy data, showing a progressive reduction in atmospheric CO2 and a strengthening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.
The middle Miocene (15 Ma) was a period of global warmth up to 8 °C warmer than present. We...
