SlideShare una empresa de Scribd logo
1 de 1
Descargar para leer sin conexión
HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY
BECOME INTERESTED IN
STUDYING THE OCEAN? 
As a graduate student, I was initially
intrigued by El Nino. I was studying
meteorology before, but realized when
we talk about El Nino, it really de-
pends on both the ocean as well as the
atmosphere, not just one of them at
a time. You have to understand how
they interact.
I thought this was so interesting, so I
knew I had to study some oceanogra-
phy if I wanted to come back to ex-
plore the complete ocean-atmosphere
system. That’s how I ended up with a
Ph.D. in oceanography.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY
RESEARCHING?
I’m working along several lines. One
is how the climate has evolved since
the Last Glacial Maximum, about
21,000 years ago. Global climate
has changed dramatically in the last
21,000 years, including El Nino. I
studied the first climate model sim-
ulation of El Nino evolution in the
last 21,000 years and found that the
change of El Nino can be traced to the
South Pacific Ocean, where the water
temperature is changed by the chang-
ing solar radiation.
In short, we are studying how El Nino
is excited locally in the equatorial
Pacific, or remotely, from outside the
tropical Pacific.
I’m also working with some interna-
tional collaborators in China to study
Bjerknes compensation, or how the
ocean and atmosphere transfer heat
from tropical latitudes to our high lat-
itude. The current hypothesis [named
for meteorologist Jacob Bjerknes, the
first to make this suggestion] is that
when one transfer increases, the other
transfer will decrease, as a compensa-
tion.
That, however, is only a hypothesis,
and there has never been a theory to
explain why that happens, and under
what conditions it happens, so we’re
developing a theory that might ex-
plain it. We’re also verifying it with
complex models. It’s a fundamental
issue in understanding the climate.
This has been a classical problem
for many years; the first time it was
raised was in 1964.
ARE THERE NEW PROJECTS ON
THE HORIZON THAT YOU’RE
ESPECIALLY EXCITED ABOUT?
I’ve recently started working on the
first set of isotope-enabled Earth Sys-
tem Model simulations of the tran-
sient climate and isotope evolution.
In collaboration with other scientists,
I am building a new generation of this
state-of-the-art climate model that
incorporates key  isotopic geotracers
— notably, water isotopes and carbon
isotopes. 
This is important because an iso-
tope-enabled climate simulation will
allow for a direct comparison of proxy
data [from natural recorders of past
climate conditions, such as ice cores
and fossil pollen] with the model, and
therefore reduce the great uncertainty
of proxy interpretation. This marks a
new era of model-data comparison.
Lallensack is a senior at UW-Madison
majoring in environmental studies and
journalism.
B
ecause Professor Zhengyu Liu’s
background is concentrated
in oceanography, some people
wonder how he ended up in
Madison.
“They say, ‘That’s really weird. There
are no oceans in the Midwest,’” Liu
joked.
That doesn’t prevent Liu from
applying an oceanic perspective to
his climate research. He studies
the interaction between the
atmosphere, the ocean system
and the climate.
This comprehensive
approach comes through in his
expansive knowledge of El Nino
— the weather pattern now
gathering steam in the
Pacific Ocean, portending
a range of global
impacts, including
the warm, dry
winter Madison
will likely
experience this
year.
With that in mind,
the Nelson Institute
Center for Climatic
Research has
been a perfect
fit for Liu for
the past 22
years. As a past
director of the
center, he has
helped maintain
CCR’s record as
a world leader
in historical
climate
modeling and
improving the
models’ predictive
power.
Liu recently
chatted about
how his work
began and where
it’s headed.
Liu leads new era of model-data
comparison in simulating
Earth’s climate
BY RACHAEL LALLENSACK

Más contenido relacionado

La actualidad más candente

DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL - Climate change2
DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL - Climate change2DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL - Climate change2
DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL - Climate change2British Council
 
P2.1 Branches of Earth Science
P2.1 Branches of Earth ScienceP2.1 Branches of Earth Science
P2.1 Branches of Earth Sciencemlong24
 
Limites planetarios planetary boundaries guiding human development on a cha...
Limites planetarios   planetary boundaries guiding human development on a cha...Limites planetarios   planetary boundaries guiding human development on a cha...
Limites planetarios planetary boundaries guiding human development on a cha...Paula Machado
 
Anthropocene equation
Anthropocene equationAnthropocene equation
Anthropocene equationOwen Gaffney
 
Burns presentation
Burns presentationBurns presentation
Burns presentationUmassGeo
 
Final ppt uniformitarianism
Final ppt uniformitarianism  Final ppt uniformitarianism
Final ppt uniformitarianism RAJKUMARPOREL
 
6. Climate science as body of knowledge
6. Climate science as body of knowledge6. Climate science as body of knowledge
6. Climate science as body of knowledgeAdam Briggle
 
Environmental system
Environmental systemEnvironmental system
Environmental systemshamsur19
 
Biosphere, Biodiversity and Change
Biosphere, Biodiversity and ChangeBiosphere, Biodiversity and Change
Biosphere, Biodiversity and ChangeJohnathan Tsui
 

La actualidad más candente (20)

ENV 101 Ch01 lecture ppt_a
ENV 101 Ch01 lecture ppt_aENV 101 Ch01 lecture ppt_a
ENV 101 Ch01 lecture ppt_a
 
Kisi-kisi Eso day 3 (Atmosphere and ES)
Kisi-kisi Eso day 3 (Atmosphere and ES)Kisi-kisi Eso day 3 (Atmosphere and ES)
Kisi-kisi Eso day 3 (Atmosphere and ES)
 
DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL - Climate change2
DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL - Climate change2DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL - Climate change2
DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL - Climate change2
 
Systems and Change
Systems and ChangeSystems and Change
Systems and Change
 
DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL
DAV PUBLIC SCHOOLDAV PUBLIC SCHOOL
DAV PUBLIC SCHOOL
 
P2.1 Branches of Earth Science
P2.1 Branches of Earth ScienceP2.1 Branches of Earth Science
P2.1 Branches of Earth Science
 
Climate change
Climate changeClimate change
Climate change
 
Climate change
Climate changeClimate change
Climate change
 
Limites planetarios planetary boundaries guiding human development on a cha...
Limites planetarios   planetary boundaries guiding human development on a cha...Limites planetarios   planetary boundaries guiding human development on a cha...
Limites planetarios planetary boundaries guiding human development on a cha...
 
Anthropocene equation
Anthropocene equationAnthropocene equation
Anthropocene equation
 
ENV 101 Ch02 lecture ppt_a
ENV 101 Ch02 lecture ppt_aENV 101 Ch02 lecture ppt_a
ENV 101 Ch02 lecture ppt_a
 
Burns presentation
Burns presentationBurns presentation
Burns presentation
 
Final ppt uniformitarianism
Final ppt uniformitarianism  Final ppt uniformitarianism
Final ppt uniformitarianism
 
Class 1
Class 1Class 1
Class 1
 
The physical environment
The physical environmentThe physical environment
The physical environment
 
6. Climate science as body of knowledge
6. Climate science as body of knowledge6. Climate science as body of knowledge
6. Climate science as body of knowledge
 
Global Warming and the Polar Regions
Global Warming and the Polar RegionsGlobal Warming and the Polar Regions
Global Warming and the Polar Regions
 
Environmental system
Environmental systemEnvironmental system
Environmental system
 
Energy and the Polar Environment: A Focus on Middle School
Energy and the Polar Environment: A Focus on Middle SchoolEnergy and the Polar Environment: A Focus on Middle School
Energy and the Polar Environment: A Focus on Middle School
 
Biosphere, Biodiversity and Change
Biosphere, Biodiversity and ChangeBiosphere, Biodiversity and Change
Biosphere, Biodiversity and Change
 

Similar a Liu from CCR_newsletter_2015

Middle Range Theory Essay
Middle Range Theory EssayMiddle Range Theory Essay
Middle Range Theory EssayKimberly Jones
 
Climate change and its effects
Climate change and  its effects Climate change and  its effects
Climate change and its effects Sakil Ahmed
 
Complete the evidence for climate change
Complete the evidence for climate changeComplete the evidence for climate change
Complete the evidence for climate changeWill Williams
 
Long-term palaeoclimate: the origin of the ice ages
Long-term palaeoclimate: the origin of the ice agesLong-term palaeoclimate: the origin of the ice ages
Long-term palaeoclimate: the origin of the ice agesProf Simon Haslett
 
Geo pro
Geo proGeo pro
Geo projoremy
 
The Carbon Of Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment
The Carbon Of Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability ExperimentThe Carbon Of Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment
The Carbon Of Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability ExperimentMary Brown
 
Factors That Have Direct Influence On The Changes Children...
Factors That Have Direct Influence On The Changes Children...Factors That Have Direct Influence On The Changes Children...
Factors That Have Direct Influence On The Changes Children...Christy Hunt
 
Stratosphere troposphere interactions_ an introduction.pdf
Stratosphere troposphere interactions_ an introduction.pdfStratosphere troposphere interactions_ an introduction.pdf
Stratosphere troposphere interactions_ an introduction.pdfroberdlee
 
The causes of climate change
The causes of climate changeThe causes of climate change
The causes of climate changeWill Williams
 
Predicting past climates
Predicting past climatesPredicting past climates
Predicting past climatesanmol111
 
Discussion of Barnett et al. 2006
Discussion of Barnett et al. 2006Discussion of Barnett et al. 2006
Discussion of Barnett et al. 2006Loretta Roberson
 
Analyzing The Significant Differences Between Main Climate...
Analyzing The Significant Differences Between Main Climate...Analyzing The Significant Differences Between Main Climate...
Analyzing The Significant Differences Between Main Climate...Maria Lack
 
  A humanity is not responsible for climate change
                     A humanity is not responsible for climate change                     A humanity is not responsible for climate change
  A humanity is not responsible for climate changetalipbekova01
 
sulfur_signals_in_antarct-UCSD news
sulfur_signals_in_antarct-UCSD newssulfur_signals_in_antarct-UCSD news
sulfur_signals_in_antarct-UCSD newsRobina Shaheen
 
You need to have JavaScript enabled in order to access this site.Clo.docx
You need to have JavaScript enabled in order to access this site.Clo.docxYou need to have JavaScript enabled in order to access this site.Clo.docx
You need to have JavaScript enabled in order to access this site.Clo.docxbenjaminjames21681
 
Interplanetary Climate Change - Prof. Dr. Alexey Dmitriev
Interplanetary Climate Change - Prof. Dr. Alexey DmitrievInterplanetary Climate Change - Prof. Dr. Alexey Dmitriev
Interplanetary Climate Change - Prof. Dr. Alexey DmitrievExopolitics Hungary
 
Anthropomorphic, climate change
Anthropomorphic, climate changeAnthropomorphic, climate change
Anthropomorphic, climate changenybergjohn
 

Similar a Liu from CCR_newsletter_2015 (20)

Middle Range Theory Essay
Middle Range Theory EssayMiddle Range Theory Essay
Middle Range Theory Essay
 
Climate change and its effects
Climate change and  its effects Climate change and  its effects
Climate change and its effects
 
Complete the evidence for climate change
Complete the evidence for climate changeComplete the evidence for climate change
Complete the evidence for climate change
 
Long-term palaeoclimate: the origin of the ice ages
Long-term palaeoclimate: the origin of the ice agesLong-term palaeoclimate: the origin of the ice ages
Long-term palaeoclimate: the origin of the ice ages
 
Geo pro
Geo proGeo pro
Geo pro
 
The Carbon Of Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment
The Carbon Of Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability ExperimentThe Carbon Of Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment
The Carbon Of Arctic Reservoirs Vulnerability Experiment
 
Factors That Have Direct Influence On The Changes Children...
Factors That Have Direct Influence On The Changes Children...Factors That Have Direct Influence On The Changes Children...
Factors That Have Direct Influence On The Changes Children...
 
Stratosphere troposphere interactions_ an introduction.pdf
Stratosphere troposphere interactions_ an introduction.pdfStratosphere troposphere interactions_ an introduction.pdf
Stratosphere troposphere interactions_ an introduction.pdf
 
The causes of climate change
The causes of climate changeThe causes of climate change
The causes of climate change
 
GEOSPHERE.pptx
GEOSPHERE.pptxGEOSPHERE.pptx
GEOSPHERE.pptx
 
Predicting past climates
Predicting past climatesPredicting past climates
Predicting past climates
 
Discussion of Barnett et al. 2006
Discussion of Barnett et al. 2006Discussion of Barnett et al. 2006
Discussion of Barnett et al. 2006
 
Analyzing The Significant Differences Between Main Climate...
Analyzing The Significant Differences Between Main Climate...Analyzing The Significant Differences Between Main Climate...
Analyzing The Significant Differences Between Main Climate...
 
  A humanity is not responsible for climate change
                     A humanity is not responsible for climate change                     A humanity is not responsible for climate change
  A humanity is not responsible for climate change
 
sulfur_signals_in_antarct-UCSD news
sulfur_signals_in_antarct-UCSD newssulfur_signals_in_antarct-UCSD news
sulfur_signals_in_antarct-UCSD news
 
You need to have JavaScript enabled in order to access this site.Clo.docx
You need to have JavaScript enabled in order to access this site.Clo.docxYou need to have JavaScript enabled in order to access this site.Clo.docx
You need to have JavaScript enabled in order to access this site.Clo.docx
 
Interplanetary Climate Change - Prof. Dr. Alexey Dmitriev
Interplanetary Climate Change - Prof. Dr. Alexey DmitrievInterplanetary Climate Change - Prof. Dr. Alexey Dmitriev
Interplanetary Climate Change - Prof. Dr. Alexey Dmitriev
 
Climate change
Climate change Climate change
Climate change
 
Anthropomorphic, climate change
Anthropomorphic, climate changeAnthropomorphic, climate change
Anthropomorphic, climate change
 
Climate Change Model
Climate Change ModelClimate Change Model
Climate Change Model
 

Liu from CCR_newsletter_2015

  • 1. HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY BECOME INTERESTED IN STUDYING THE OCEAN?  As a graduate student, I was initially intrigued by El Nino. I was studying meteorology before, but realized when we talk about El Nino, it really de- pends on both the ocean as well as the atmosphere, not just one of them at a time. You have to understand how they interact. I thought this was so interesting, so I knew I had to study some oceanogra- phy if I wanted to come back to ex- plore the complete ocean-atmosphere system. That’s how I ended up with a Ph.D. in oceanography. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY RESEARCHING? I’m working along several lines. One is how the climate has evolved since the Last Glacial Maximum, about 21,000 years ago. Global climate has changed dramatically in the last 21,000 years, including El Nino. I studied the first climate model sim- ulation of El Nino evolution in the last 21,000 years and found that the change of El Nino can be traced to the South Pacific Ocean, where the water temperature is changed by the chang- ing solar radiation. In short, we are studying how El Nino is excited locally in the equatorial Pacific, or remotely, from outside the tropical Pacific. I’m also working with some interna- tional collaborators in China to study Bjerknes compensation, or how the ocean and atmosphere transfer heat from tropical latitudes to our high lat- itude. The current hypothesis [named for meteorologist Jacob Bjerknes, the first to make this suggestion] is that when one transfer increases, the other transfer will decrease, as a compensa- tion. That, however, is only a hypothesis, and there has never been a theory to explain why that happens, and under what conditions it happens, so we’re developing a theory that might ex- plain it. We’re also verifying it with complex models. It’s a fundamental issue in understanding the climate. This has been a classical problem for many years; the first time it was raised was in 1964. ARE THERE NEW PROJECTS ON THE HORIZON THAT YOU’RE ESPECIALLY EXCITED ABOUT? I’ve recently started working on the first set of isotope-enabled Earth Sys- tem Model simulations of the tran- sient climate and isotope evolution. In collaboration with other scientists, I am building a new generation of this state-of-the-art climate model that incorporates key  isotopic geotracers — notably, water isotopes and carbon isotopes.  This is important because an iso- tope-enabled climate simulation will allow for a direct comparison of proxy data [from natural recorders of past climate conditions, such as ice cores and fossil pollen] with the model, and therefore reduce the great uncertainty of proxy interpretation. This marks a new era of model-data comparison. Lallensack is a senior at UW-Madison majoring in environmental studies and journalism. B ecause Professor Zhengyu Liu’s background is concentrated in oceanography, some people wonder how he ended up in Madison. “They say, ‘That’s really weird. There are no oceans in the Midwest,’” Liu joked. That doesn’t prevent Liu from applying an oceanic perspective to his climate research. He studies the interaction between the atmosphere, the ocean system and the climate. This comprehensive approach comes through in his expansive knowledge of El Nino — the weather pattern now gathering steam in the Pacific Ocean, portending a range of global impacts, including the warm, dry winter Madison will likely experience this year. With that in mind, the Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research has been a perfect fit for Liu for the past 22 years. As a past director of the center, he has helped maintain CCR’s record as a world leader in historical climate modeling and improving the models’ predictive power. Liu recently chatted about how his work began and where it’s headed. Liu leads new era of model-data comparison in simulating Earth’s climate BY RACHAEL LALLENSACK