UH Manoa Campus Events Calendar

Atmospheric Sciences Seminar: Dr. Esther Widiasih

October 24, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Mānoa Campus, Marine Sciences Building, MSB 100

MidPleistocene Transition from Budyko's Energy Balance Model

Dr. Esther Widiasih
Assistant Professor
Department of Mathematics
University of Hawaii at West Oahu

Seminar Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Refreshments: 3:00pm at MSB lanai
Free Cookies, Coffee & Tea Provided
(Please Bring Your Own Cup)
Seminar Time: 3:30pm
Location: Marine Sciences Building, MSB 100

Abstract:
Energy Balance Models (EBMs) arguably are the simplest form of global climate models. They allow for a deeper mathematical analysis to complement the understanding gained from more complex models. In this talk, I will revisit the long-standing question of which dynamical processes are responsible for the Mid Pleistocene Transition (MPT) in light of a low-order, flip-flop model based on Budyko's EBM. Built upon this EBM is a system of three non-smooth ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which admits glacial cycles and has similar characteristics as the proxy records. Furthermore, it can be shown that when a critical bifurcation parameter of the system is linked to key characteristics of benthic 18O records, the model simulates a realistic MPT. Interestingly, the particular bifurcation parameter is one that controls the relationship between temperature and precipitation.