SCOR-SEAMONS Working Group Report
(SCOR-IMAGES Evolution of Asian Monsoons; WG#113)
Submitted by Steven C. Clemens June 1, 1999
General Information
A. Sponsors:
Scientific Committee on Ocean Research (SCOR), Netherlands Research
School of Sedimentary Geology (NSG), and International MarinePast Global Changes Study (IMAGES)
B. Meeting Location and Dates:
Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, May 17-22,1999
Organizer, Gerald Ganssen
C. Members in Attendance:
WANG, Pixian (Chair- China), SARNTHEIN, Michael (Germany), CLEMENS,Steven (USA), BEAUFORT, Luc (France), BRACONNOT, Pascale (France,alternate for Kutzbach), GANSSEN, Gerald (Netherlands), KERSHAW,Peter (Australia), RAMESH, Rangaswamy (India), SAITO, Yoshiki(Japan)
E. Members not in Attendance:
GRIMALT, J. (Spain), KUTZBACH, J. (USA)
F. Invited Specialists:
BRUMMER, Geert-Jan (Netherlands)
CHIVAS, Allan (Australia)
METZGER, Joe (USA)
SCHNEIDER, Ralph (Germany)
G. Guests
MEHSER Ingeborg, BEETS Kay, JUNG Simon, PEETERS Frank, PRINS Maarten,REICHART Gert-Jan, RENSSEN Hans
H. Workshop Main Goal
To complete a draft version of a manuscript to be submitted forpublication to a reviewed scientific journal.
This manuscript seeks to define the seasonal and interannualmonsoon dynamics that can be studied in the paleoclimate recordthrough analysis of marine sediments. To assess the current statusof sediment proxies available to study these dynamics and makerecommendations for further proxy development, including age control,analysis protocol, and the development of model-compatible (quantitative)paleoclimate proxies.
Day 1 - Monday, May 17.
0900
Following welcoming remarks by Gerald Ganssen, Professor Cloetinghgave an introduction to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Artsand Sciences, highlighting the Research School of SedimentaryGeology. As a member of the editorial board of Global and PlanetaryChange, Professor Cloetingh ended his remarks with an offer toconsider our manuscript for publication in this journal.
Gerald Ganssen followed with an overview of the workshop goalsas outlined above in section H. This was followed by introductoryrounds, each individual providing a brief personal introduction.
Pinxian Wang reported on the results of his recent successfulODP cruise to the South China Sea (Leg 184) and provided an overviewof the recently completed South China Sea Monsoon Experiment (SCSMEX)which took place May through August, 1998.
1115
Joe Metzger of the Naval Research Lab (NRL) introduced the NRLLayered Ocean Model (NLOM), highlighting aspects of interest tothe SEAMONS group. These include Pacific - SCS interaction asinduced by the combine effects of winds, surface and deep currentsand sill depths linking the two bodies.
1125
Pascale Braconnot reported on the results of a 6-Ka simulationusing coupled ocean (OPA-7) - atmosphere (LMD-5) models. The associatedmanuscript has been submitted to GRL.
1135
Arthur Chen Chen-Tung provided an overview of his work on lakesin inner Mongolia and the Tibetan Plateau, offering insight intothe links between the terrestrial and marine records.
1146
Rengaswami Ramesh reported on his results from a series of coresfrom the Eastern Arabian Sea, highlighting the impact of monsoonrunoff on the oxygen isotope records from these sites.
1155
Peter Kershaw summarized recent findings on the Australian monsoon(60 Ka to present) noting the potential impact of humans on thechange from woodland to scrub vegetation which then feeds backinto the extent to which the summer monsoon penetrates into thecenter of the Australian continent.
1205
Allan Chivas reported on work in the Gulf of Carpentaria, highlightingits epicontenental nature and shallow sill depth which combineto make it an enclosed basin during sealevel lowstands in excessof 50 m. The hydrological budget of the enclosed basin then respondsstrongly to monsoon runoff and evaporation.
1330
Gerald Ganssen organized meeting participants into three groupswith Rapporteurs as follows:
Theme I - Terrestrial proxies for seasonal and interannual monsoondynamics (Sarnthein/Clemens).
Theme II - Marine proxies for seasonal and interannual monsoondynamics (Beaufort/Chivas).
Theme III - Modeling developments related to monsoon dynamics(Braconnot).
1400
Groups meet individually to begin discussions of monsoon proxiescurrently in use.
Day 2 - Tuesday, May 18.
0900
Plenary session at which the modeling group presented questionsfor the terrestrial and marine groups to consider regarding data- model comparisons and the viability of assessing seasonal signalsfrom marine sediments.
1000
Groups meet individually for further discussion of monsoon proxies.
1330
Plenary session to report progress and discuss overall paper format.
1400
Individual groups meet to finish discussion of currently usedproxies.
Day 3 - Wednesday, May 19
0900
Plenary session
Report from Joe Metzger on SCS seasonality as depicted in theNLOM. Winter and Summer season circulation plots were presentedat all 4 model layers and compared to those associated with ElNino conditions.
0945
Discussion of proposed Figure 1 - flow diagram illustrating oceanand atmosphere processes associated with monsoon wind forcing- designed to allow the reader to assess how directly a givenproxy relates to monsoon wind strength, duration and timing and/ordirection.
Gerald Ganssen introduced a three-section outline for the overallmanuscript which was used to define and guide discussions of theindividual groups, especially with respect to sections two andthree, which deal with overviews of current proxies and the developmentof proxies necessary to better monitor seasonal aspects of monsoonclimates.
Following this, individual groups met to continue work.
2030
SCOR working group business meeting
I. Update on the Milankovitch/Sub-Milankovitch meeting scheduledfor 2000.
This meeting was originally planned to be hosted by Steve Clemensat Brown University, coincident with the ODP Leg 184 (South ChinaSea) post-cruise meeting. However, following discussions withthe Leg 184 scientists, we now propose to hold this meeting inBeijing China either in Late October 2000 or in late March, earlyApril 2001 followed by a field trip to the Loess Plateau. Thiswill provide additional time necessary for Leg 184 scientiststo develop manuscripts for publication in the meeting volume aswell as an opportunity to examine the loess sections of NorthChina. The meeting will be co-hosted by Pinxian Wang and SteveClemens. Pinxian will take care of meeting logistics and Stevewill continue to work on funding for US scientists (talks areongoing with the Joint Oceanographic Institutions, JOI).
As originally planned, the meeting will consist of 50 to 70scientists, 10 of which will be invited and required to submitpapers for publication in the volume.
Discussion of third (tectonic-scale) SEAMONS meeting (2001or 2002).
Three locations were put up for discussion; (A) Japan, September2001 - hosted by Yoshiki Saito immediately following ICP VII ,(B) India, winter 2001-2002 ñ hosted by Rangaswamy Ramesh;(C) Europe, Spring 2002 ñ in association with the EuropeanGeophysical Society Tectonics and Climate meeting.
Day 4 - Thursday, May 20
0900
Plenary Session
All groups met to report on progress and discuss progress.
0930
Individual groups continue meeting and writing sessions.
1700
Final Plenary Session and End of Meeting
Since some of the group were leaving on Friday morning, finalremarks and scheduling of contributions were discussed and finalizedalthough many individuals continued to work through Friday atnoon.
Written contributions from each individual are to be sent toGerald Ganssen by June 10, 1999 (preferable as e-mail attachments).Gerald will synthesize all material and place the initial draftof the manuscript on a web site (no, we decided to send it toall persons involved individually) where it will be availablefor review and comment for one month. After this, Gerald willsynthesize the comments and produce the final manuscript for submission.