User:Sthomp14/Medieval Warm Period

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Mountain glacier in southern Europe survived MWP shown by dating ice samples

Substantial glacial retreat in southern Europe was experienced during the MWP. While several smaller glaciers experienced complete deglaciation, larger glaciers in the region survived and now provide insight into the region’s climate history.

MWP to LIA transition led to a change in diet on Gran Canaria (off western Sahara)

Isotopic analysis of bones from the Canary Islands’ inhabitants during the MWP to LIA transition reveal the region experienced a 5 °C decrease in air temperature. Over this period, the diet of inhabitants did not appreciably change, which suggests they were remarkably resilient to climate change.

MWP coincided with wetter conditions in eastern Europe, southeastern China, India, and far eastern Russia

Alongside a warmer climate, wetter conditions coincided with the MWP in eastern Europe, southeastern China, India, and far eastern Russia. Sedimentary records reveal a period of increased flooding in eastern Europe that is attributed to a positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Similarly, cores from peatland in southeast China suggest changes in the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are responsible for increased precipitation in the region during the MWP. The Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) was also enhanced during the MWP with a temperature driven change to the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO), bringing more precipitation to India. In far eastern Russia, continental regions experienced severe floods during the MWP while nearby islands experienced less precipitation leading to a decrease in peatland. Pollen data from this region indicates an expansion of warm climate vegetation with an increasing number of broadleaf and decreasing number of coniferous forests.

MWP produced inconsistent warming across China

Generally, a warming period was identified in China, coinciding with the MWP, using multi-proxy data for temperature. However, the warming was inconsistent across China. Significant temperature change, from the MWP to LIA, was found for northeast and central-east China but not for northwest China and the Tibetan Plateau.

Italy coastal barrier system changes during MWP

Preceding the MWP, a coastal region, in western Sardinia Italy, was abandoned by the Romans. The coastal area was able to substantially expand into the lagoon without the influence of human populations and a high stand during the MWP. When human populations returned to the region, they encountered a land altered by climate change and had to reestablish ports.

Evidence of Medieval Warm Period

 * 1) Rare records of sea ice around Greenlan coasts in chronicles during medieval warm period.
 * 2) δ18O and dust record in ice core (Ruddiman fig. 17-4)