Arctic Amplification in the Past, Present, and Future: A Review for the Challenge to the Integrative Understanding of its Mechanism

Abstract

It is well known that the Arctic is warming at a much faster rate than other regions of the world. Within the context of the state of modern climate conditions, enhanced Arctic warming has also been investigated in paleoclimate reconstructions and simulations during relatively warm periods. Since sea ice plays a central role in generating these geographical patterns of warming amplification, a thorough understanding of both atmospheric and oceanic dynamics is important. Studies have suggested that several commonalities may exist in the mechanisms underlying the amplification of Arctic warming across different historical periods, despite the diverse nature of external forcings. In this review, we consolidate modern and paleoclimatic perspectives to reveal challenges posed to an integrated understanding of the mechanisms driving the amplification of Arctic warming in the past, present, and future. An emphasis is placed on large-scale atmospheric and oceanic processes. Important unresolved issues and avenues for further investigation are also discussed from the climate system point of view.