WAS THERE A WIND-DRIVEN TETHYS CIRCUMGLOBAL CURRENT IN THE LATE CRETACEOUS?

Abstract

The problem of the existence of a Tethys circumglobal current (TCC) in the Late Cretaceous continental geometry (Campanian) is addressed. Within an ocean model which is expected to strongly overestimate the wind-driven TCC volume transport, a relatively weak TCC is found for the reconstructed Campanian paleogeography used. As a measure of the strength of the TCC, a circumglobal flow index is introduced. This index is based on volume fluxes through meridional sections within the equatorial part of the domain. The impact of changes in the paleogeography on the TCC is considered by computing steady flows for different shapes of Eurasia. The results on the extent of Eurasia such that a strong TCC appears provide support that no strong wind-driven TCC has existed during the Campanian.