Intensification of the meridional temperature gradient in the Great Barrier Reef following the Last Glacial Maximum

Thomas Felis (), Helen V. McGregor, Braddock K. Linsley, Alexander W. Tudhope, Michael K. Gagan, Atsushi Suzuki, Mayuri Inoue, Alexander L. Thomas, Tezer M. Esat, William G. Thompson, Manish Tiwari, Donald C. Potts, Manfred Mudelsee, Yusuke Yokoyama and Jody M. Webster
Additional contact information
Thomas Felis: MARUM—Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen
Helen V. McGregor: Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University
Braddock K. Linsley: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University
Alexander W. Tudhope: School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh
Michael K. Gagan: Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University
Atsushi Suzuki: Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Mayuri Inoue: Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo
Alexander L. Thomas: School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh
Tezer M. Esat: Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University
William G. Thompson: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Manish Tiwari: National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research
Donald C. Potts: University of California
Manfred Mudelsee: Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)
Yusuke Yokoyama: Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo
Jody M. Webster: Geocoastal Research Group, School of Geosciences, The University of Sydney

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Tropical south-western Pacific temperatures are of vital importance to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), but the role of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the growth of the GBR since the Last Glacial Maximum remains largely unknown. Here we present records of Sr/Ca and δ18O for Last Glacial Maximum and deglacial corals that show a considerably steeper meridional SST gradient than the present day in the central GBR. We find a 1–2 °C larger temperature decrease between 17° and 20°S about 20,000 to 13,000 years ago. The result is best explained by the northward expansion of cooler subtropical waters due to a weakening of the South Pacific gyre and East Australian Current. Our findings indicate that the GBR experienced substantial meridional temperature change during the last deglaciation, and serve to explain anomalous deglacial drying of northeastern Australia. Overall, the GBR developed through significant SST change and may be more resilient than previously thought.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5102

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