PALAEO-DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELS FOR USE AS BOUNDARY CONDITIONS IN COUPLED OCEAN - ATMOSPHERE GCM EXPERIMENTS: A MAASTRICHTIAN (LATE CRETACEOUS) EXAMPLE

Abstract

Palaeogeography (specifically palaeotopography and palaeobathymetry) provides an essential boundary condition for computer-based atmosphere and ocean modelling. It also provides the geographic context for understanding surface processes (palaeodrainage, palaeoweathering) and biotic interactions (palaeoecology, palaeobiogeography). With increased model resolution, coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation models (GCMs) and the addition of vegetation, soil (weathering), ice and chemical modules, there is now a need for more robust, detailed palaeotopographies and palaeobathymetries that are fully integrated with the processes being modelled, especially the hydrological system.