Cloud Feedback: A Stabilizing Effect for the Early Earth?
Abstract
The effect of variations in cloud cover, optical properties, and fractional distribution with altitude on the mean surface temperature of a model of the early earth has been investigated. In all cases examined, cloud-climate feedbacks result in temperatures greater than those in models with no cloud feedbacks. If the model of hydrospheric feedback effects is correct, then cloud feedbacks are as important to the climate as changes in solar luminosity and atmospheric composition during the earth's atmospheric evolution. In particular, the early earth need not become completely ice-covered if strong negative cloud feedbacks occur. However, until a proper understanding of cloud feedbacks is available, conclusions regarding conditions in the early atmosphere must remain in doubt.
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Some FYS hypotheses invoke clouds: that the Archean Bond albedo was low because of substantially different cloud cover or that abundant high-altitude cirrus clouds warmed early Earth.
“Some FYS hypotheses invoke clouds: that the Archean Bond albedo was low because of substantially different cloud cover (170, 209) or that abundant high-altitude cirrus clouds warmed early Earth (210).”
From The Archean atmosphere (2020) · cites this paper as [209]
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- Authors
- Rossow, W. B., Henderson-Sellers, A., & Weinreich, S. K.
- Affiliations
- Goddard Institute for Space Studies (US)
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 1982-09-24
- Volume
- 217
- Issue
- 4566
- Pages
- 1245-1247
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2068696985
- Cited by
- 78
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 10.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Climate variability and models
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Atmospheric aerosols and clouds
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Keywords
- cloud feedback, early Earth climate, cloud cover, cloud optical properties, surface temperature, atmospheric evolution, solar luminosity, atmospheric composition
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