The high-resolution global ocean-ice-model system VIKING20X will be used for simulations focusing on regional high-resolution refinements evaluating the predicted changes for the 21st century derived from climate studies (CMIP5) projecting trends in the atmospheric forcing fields. The idea is to decipher the basic causes (1) and regional effects (2) of (multi-)decadal changes in the Atlantic circulation system based on a collection of numerical model simulations. The scientific goals are:
- Concerning the basic causes (1) the focus is on further clarification of potentially important factors of influence for the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), particularly:
• The relative importance and possible interaction of northern- and southern hemispheric influences on the generation of decadal variability and long-term trends.
- Concerning regional effects (2) the analysis focus on the manifestation of natural variability in the Atlantic circulation systems as well as possible effects of future anthropogenic trends. Of major interest are:
• The manifestation of large-scale circulation changes, particularly of the AMOC, the subpolar gyre of the North Atlantic and the subtropical-tropical cells (STCs) in regional velocity fields.
• Changes in local hydrography due to changes in the circulation system as well as trends, particularly along the continental shelfs.
• Application of high-resolution model results to the interpretation of marine biological findings, particularly due to the possibility to use the time variable velocity fields to determine propagation path