Climate dynamics of the Australian monsoon and its re-establishment following the last glacial maximum [ 2002-01-01 - 2005-12-31 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Alan Chivas (Chief Investigator) ,  Dr Dioni Cendon (Postdoctoral Fellow)

Brief description Climate dynamics of the Australian monsoon and its re-establishment following the last glacial maximum. The dynamics and linkages among elements of the global climate system (eg. North Atlantic - Antarctica- tropics) are poorly understood, particularly near the Last Glacial Maximum about 20,000 years ago. For the interval 80,000 to 10,000 years ago, we propose to produce a high-resolution environmental record(every 80 years) and dynamical model, using lacustrine sediments from the Gulf of Carpentaria. We seek information on the intensity and possible disappearance of the monsoon, tropical atmospheric teleconnections with millennial-scale ice-rafting episodes at higher latitudes, and influence of aboriginal vegetation-burning on climate. Such links, if found, would profoundly alter our understanding of all tropical environments and their management.

Funding Amount $410,468

Funding Scheme Discovery Projects

View this grant in the ARC Data Portal