A fully coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model (the Fast Ocean-
Atmosphere Model) is used to simulate the Neoproterozoic climate with a red
uced solar luminosity (95% of present-day), low atmospheric CO2 (140 ppmv),
and an idealized tropical supercontinent. Two coupled simulations were com
pleted with present-day and cold initial ocean temperatures. These experime
nts are compared with uncoupled (i.e., mixed-layer) model experiments to de
termine the impact of a dynamical ocean on the Neoproterozoic simulations.
In contrast to global sea-ice coverage in the uncoupled experiments, the se
a-ice margin seasonally advances to 46 and 55 degrees latitude in the coupl
ed experiments. The coupled simulations demonstrate that dynamic ocean proc
esses can prevent a snowball solution and suggest that a reduced solar lumi
nosity and low atmospheric CO2 are not by themselves sufficient conditions
for a snowball solution. Heat exchange through vertical mixing in the mid-l
atitudes, caused by static instability, is identified as the primary proces
s halting the advance of the sea-ice margin.