loading page

Deep Future Climate on Earth: effects of tectonics, rotation rate, and insolation
  • +1
  • Michael Way,
  • Hannah Sophia Davies,
  • João C. Duarte,
  • Mattias Green
Michael Way
NASA/Goddard Institute for Space Studies

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Hannah Sophia Davies
University of Lisbon, Instituto Dom Luiz
Author Profile
João C. Duarte
University of Lisbon, Instituto Dom Luiz
Author Profile
Mattias Green
Bangor University
Author Profile

Abstract

We explore two possible Earth climate scenarios, 200 and 250 million years into the future, using knowledge of the evolution of plate tectonics, solar luminosity, and rotation rate. In one scenario, a supercontinent forms at low latitudes, whereas in the other it forms at high northerly latitudes with an antarctic subcontinent remaining at the south pole. The climates between these two end points are quite stark, with differences in mean surface temperatures approaching 4 degrees. The fractional habitability (mean surface temperatures remaining between 0$<$T$<$100$^\circ$ year round) on land is shown to differ as much as 40\% between the two simulations. These results demonstrate the need to consider alternative boundary conditions when simulating Earth-like exoplanetary climates.