Formation Mechanisms for North Pacific Central and Eastern Subtropical Mode Waters

The effects of one-dimensional processes on the formation of deep mixed layers in the central mode water (CMW) and eastern subtropical mode water (ESMW) formation regions of the North Pacific have been analyzed using a mixed layer model. By running the model with various combinations of initial (August) background stratification and forcing fields (heat flux, E P, and wind stress), and comparing the resultant March mixed layer depths, the relative importance of these effects on creating deep mixed layers was diagnosed. Model results suggest that the contributions of evaporation minus precipitation and wind mixing to mixed layer depth in both the CMW and the ESMW formation regions are negligible.