Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4485
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4485
24 Sep 2025
 | 24 Sep 2025
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Climate of the Past (CP).

Weakened and Irregular Miocene Climate Response to Orbital Forcing compared to the modern day

Yurui Zhang, Jilin Wei, Zhen Li, Nan Dai, Weipeng Zheng, Qiuzhen Yin, Agatha de Boer, Zhengguo Shi, and Lixia Zhang

Abstract. Orbital forcing is a well-established driver of Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles, but its role in warmer climates remains less clear. Using climate model simulation, we assess temperature response to maximum and minimum boreal summer insolation during the Miocene and pre-industrial (PI) time. Both exhibit broadly anti-phased responses, but the Miocene shows weaker and less coherent patterns. Three notable differences emerge: (1) Boreal land regions respond less strongly in the Miocene due to dampened albedo feedbacks from altered vegetation; (2) Tropical Africa experiences stronger cooling under high insolation, driven by an intensified hydrological cycle with a broader Tethys Ocean under warm climate; (3) The Southern Ocean warms unexpectedly under low insolation, linked to sea ice involved albedo feedback. Lower internal temperature variability in the Miocene suggests enhanced climate stability and weaker orbital pacing. These findings highlight the importance of background climate state in shaping orbital-scale climate and interpreting proxy records.

Competing interests: Some authors are members of the editorial board of journal Climate of the Past.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Yurui Zhang, Jilin Wei, Zhen Li, Nan Dai, Weipeng Zheng, Qiuzhen Yin, Agatha de Boer, Zhengguo Shi, and Lixia Zhang

Status: open (until 19 Nov 2025)

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Yurui Zhang, Jilin Wei, Zhen Li, Nan Dai, Weipeng Zheng, Qiuzhen Yin, Agatha de Boer, Zhengguo Shi, and Lixia Zhang
Yurui Zhang, Jilin Wei, Zhen Li, Nan Dai, Weipeng Zheng, Qiuzhen Yin, Agatha de Boer, Zhengguo Shi, and Lixia Zhang

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Short summary
This study examines how the warm Miocene (~23–5 Ma) climate responded to orbital changes compared with modern day. Simulations show weaker Miocene temperature responses with distinct spatial patterns. High latitudes were less sensitive due to weaker albedo feedback, while tropical Africa cooled more strongly from an enhanced water cycle. The Southern Ocean warmed under low insolation as winter sea ice shrank. These findings highlight how background climate states shape orbital climate responses.
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