12000 BC water

[tedbarnett]

New York Bay might have been frozen solid in 12K BC, but I think the scale of the textures/materials used on our water surface looks too "close up" currently. It looks amazing, but probably better for frozen puddles and lakes. The Hudson and East Rivers probably looked a lot like rivers in Greenland today, mostly unfrozen and full of large chunks of ice. Need more research to confirm.

ChatGPT on this topic:

How cold were temperatures in Manhattan in 12000 BC?

• Around 12,000 BC, during the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, temperatures in the Manhattan area were significantly colder than today. Average annual temperatures were likely around -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F). However, temperatures could have varied, with winter temperatures being much colder, potentially reaching -20°C (-4°F) or lower during the coldest periods. The region was still under the influence of the retreating Laurentide Ice Sheet, which would have kept temperatures cold and the climate harsh.

Would the ocean water have been frozen at those temperatures?

• Yes, the ocean water near Manhattan during 12,000 BC would likely have been frozen or at least covered with sea ice during much of the year due to the cold temperatures. With average annual temperatures around -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F) and potentially even colder during winter months, the coastal waters, especially in the proximity of the retreating ice sheet, would have been cold enough to support the formation of sea ice.
• Sea ice forms when ocean water freezes, typically when the surface temperature drops below approximately -1.8°C (28.8°F), depending on the salinity of the water. Given the conditions of the time, it is likely that large parts of the coastal waters and nearby ocean would have been covered in ice, particularly during the colder months.

What areas in the world have analogous temperatures and sea ice?

• The temperatures and sea ice conditions near Manhattan around 12,000 BC are analogous to those found in several polar and subpolar regions of the world today. Some areas with similar temperatures and seasonal sea ice include:

• Arctic Regions: Northern Canada (e.g., Nunavut, Baffin Island): These regions experience long, harsh winters with temperatures often ranging from -20°C to -30°C (-4°F to -22°F) and sea ice covering large portions of the surrounding ocean for much of the year.

• Greenland: The coastal areas, especially in the northern and northeastern parts, have temperatures well below freezing for most of the year, leading to extensive sea ice coverage.

• Siberian Arctic Coast: This area experiences very cold winters with temperatures frequently dropping below -30°C (-22°F). The seas, such as the Laptev Sea and the East Siberian Sea, are typically covered with thick sea ice during winter.

• Antarctica (coastal areas): Ross Sea and Weddell Sea: Coastal Antarctica has extremely cold temperatures, with sea ice extending far into the Southern Ocean. The ice pack can be extensive during the winter months, and temperatures are often well below freezing even during the summer.

These regions have climates that involve long, cold winters, extensive sea ice, and temperatures similar to what would have been experienced near Manhattan during the Last Glacial Maximum and the subsequent period around 12,000 BC.

[tedbarnett]

[tedbarnett]