“Overall, our study provides evidence that a Pacific outflow through the Tasman Sea played a dynamic role in the interoceanic exchange of water masses within the global overturning circulation system through glacial-interglacial cycles. We demonstrate a close link between changes in the deep Tasman outflow, NPIW [North Pacific Intermediate Water ] formation, and circulation changes in the Pacific Ocean during the last glacial period. Implementing these findings into refined ocean models will improve our understanding of how the outflow of Pacific waters via the Tasman Sea affects the interoceanic exchange of climate signals, the global overturning circulation strength, and the oceanic carbon storage, over a range of timescales in the past and the future.”

Originally published here by Nature on 30 June 2022.