Numerical Simulation of the Cretaceous Tethys Circumglobal Current
Certain paleobiogeographical reconstructions of ocean currents during the Cretaceous (about 144 to 65 million years ago) suggest that a circumglobal tropical current flowed westward through the continental configuration of that time. Although some numerical climate models failed in initial attempts to simulate this current, simulations with a coupled atmosphere-ocean model with relatively high spatial resolution and a late Cretaceous continental distribution show that a circumglobal current is a robust feature even though local surface currents in the Tethys Seaway reverse during the south Eurasian monsoon months.
Bush
ABG
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Program, Princeton University, Post Office Box CN710, Sayre Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544-0710, USA.