81 



these extreme variations on the sea floor could cause the 

 surface projection of cooler water. On the other hand, it 

 might be unreasonable to assume steady state conditions, for 

 certainly variations in the periods of tides and internal 

 waves would be sufficient to cause marked differences in the 

 occurrence of the water unit. Such variations may be why the 

 varying intensities as noted do occur. 



Another contributing agency to the cold water area may 

 be from the more or less constant flow of water out of the 

 bay to the south. Flushing of the shelf water occurs normally 

 by this current, which is established by water conditions with- 

 in the bay rather than by those that may exist along the 

 southern border. A constantly moving current here would of 

 necessity require the existence of cooler water on the left 

 of its course, i.e., adjacent to the shore. Because the 

 current originates in the bay, as an overflow condition, for 

 example, the temperature slopes noted would be developed as 

 a consequence of the flow. Thus, varying conditions within 

 the bay, causing varying current flows to the south, would 

 result in considerable variation in the cold water unit. 

 Annual Variations 



Surface Water . There is a seasonal cycle in the distri- 

 bution of water units, but it is more indicative of two rather 

 than four seasons. The major distinction between the two 

 seasons is the location of cold water units with respect to 

 the Santa Monica-Red ondo coast. In the colder months of the 

 year, November through May, the water three miles or more from 

 shore is warmer than that inshore. The reverse is true in the 



