Jl. Christiansen et S. Stouge, Oceanic circulation as an element in palaeogeographical reconstructions: the Arenig (early Ordovician) as an example, TERRA NOVA, 11(2-3), 1999, pp. 73-78
A new conceptual palaeo-oceanographical model is outlined in this paper, Th
e model differs from previous models by using shifts in Hadley circulation
caused by orbital variations, and the rotation rate of the Earth, to locate
the position of the planetary oceanic low-and high-pressure systems, aroun
d which the planetary ocean surface currents flow. Adapting the model to th
e Arenig (early Ordovician) the temperate low pressure zones were found to
be located at 50 degrees latitude and the subtropical high pressure tones a
t 25 degrees latitude,
Traditionally, most Palaeozoic palaeogeographical reconstructions are recon
structed using palaeomagnetic data supplemented with data from climate-sens
itive lithofacies and palaeo-biogeographical distributions. However, as a n
ew approach in palaeogeographical reconstructions, the conceptual palaeo-oc
eanographical model is combined with palaeobiogeographical data for the Are
nig series, complementing the palaeomagnetic data, and resulting in a new,
refined palaeogeographical reconstruction.