Dynamics and Formation of Water Masses of the Gulf of Alaska.

The report presents investigations into seasonal water structures in the Gulf of Alaska began in 1970 under ONR sponsorship. A series of eight hydrographic cruises were conducted on the northern shelf in the Gulf of Alaska from December 1970 through October 1972. The primary purpose of these expeditions was to determine if in winter the shelf is a region where intermediate water formation occurs. This study indicates that the region is not such a source of intermediate water. However, valuable observations and conclusions have been drawn from the data obtained on these cruises. These data represent the first seasonal observations in the Gulf of Alaska. These are also the first hydrographic observations made on that shelf in the fall quarter of any year.