image: This is a sketch diagram illustrating the proposed glacial-interglacial Indian summer monsoon (ISM) dynamics. It schematically indicates the responses of the cross-equatorial pressure gradient (XEPG, body force of the ISM) to the SMH (southern Mascarene high, blue triangles) and NIL (northern Indian low, red triangles) changes during the periods of interglacial and full glacial. (A) During the interglacial, less NH ice volume enhances the NIL and high Antarctic temperature weakens the SMH. The large XEPG (strong ISM) is dominated by the NIL. (B) During the full glacial, high NH ice volume weakens the NIL and low Antarctic temperature (increased Antarctic ice volume) intensifies the SMH. The early ISM intensification from its minimum is determined by the enhanced SMH. This image relates to an article that appeared in the Aug. 5, 2011, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. An Zhisheng of State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment in Xi'an, China, and colleagues was titled, "Glacial-Interglacial Indian Summer Monsoon Dynamics." view more
Credit: Image courtesy of An Zhisheng