First assessment of the earth heat inventory within CMIP5 historical simulations

Abstract. The energy imbalance at the top of atmosphere over last century has caused an accumulation heat within ocean, continental subsurface, and cryosphere. Although ?90 % gained by climate system been stored in other components Earth inventory cannot be neglected due to their influence on associated processes dependent storage, such as sea level rise permafrost stability. However, there not a comprehensive assessment global simulations yet. Here, we explore ability 30 advanced general circulation models (GCMs) from fifth phase Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) simulate distribution Earth's reservoirs for period 1972–2005 Common Era. CMIP5 GCMs average storage 247±172 ZJ (96±4 total content) 5±9 (2±3 %) 2±3 (1±1 cryosphere 2±2 atmosphere. ensemble overestimates ocean content 83 underestimates 9 5 ZJ, comparison with recent observations. representation terrestrial ice masses well response each model external forcing, should improved order obtain better representations partition among subsystems transient simulations.