Holocene Precipitation and Theories of Monsoon

Abstract

The higher monsoon precipitation documented in the Northern Hemisphere during the Mid-Holocene has been examined by many investigators using General Circulation Models (GCM).Most investigators rely on the land-sea contrast theory to explain the higher precipitation during the Mid-Holocene. The basic flaw in the land-sea contrast theory is highlighted. An alternative theory based on energy and mass conservation is discussed. The alternative theory shows how the precipitation could have increased in the Mid-Holocene directly through the increase in insolation and indirectly through increase in the integrated water vapor in the atmosphere.