180 



MARION AND GENERAL GREENE EXPEDITIONS 



to 2047) have been prepared and are shown in figures 136 and 137, 

 respectively. Because of the small density gradients involved, be- 

 cause of the possibility that no absolutely motionless surface exists 

 and because of the probably undulatory character of such a surface if 

 it does exist, no great reliance is placed upon the absolute values 

 of velocity thus derived. However, the indicated directions of flow 

 are believed to be reliable and are instructive regarding the circula- 

 tion of the deeper water. These two velocity profiles clearly show 

 the cyclonic nature of the circulation in the deep water (p. 186) of the 

 Labrador Sea and at the same time permit the southward outflow, 



18 19 20 21 



26 27 28 



Figure 136. — Velocity profile Resolution Island to Plskernaessett, June 11-16. 1928 

 expressed in centimeters per second (from the Oodthaah's observations). The solid 

 lines represent southerly current and the broken lines northerly current. 



along the American side, of deep water and bottom water (p. 187) 

 to the North Atlantic necessitated by the sinking of water from higher 

 levels. 



VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF TEMPERATURE AND SALINITY 



Resolution Island — Fiskemaessett. — The transverse sections of tem 

 perature and salinity shown in figure 138 represent summer con 

 ditions in 1928 between Resolution Island and Fiskernaessett based on 

 the Godthaah stations 18 to 28. In the upper levels the more rapid 

 currents can be recognized, the northward-flowing West Greenland 

 Current on the right and the southw&rd-flowing Labrador Current on 

 the left. The central part of the section from about 500 meters to 

 about 2,000 meters is occupied by intermediate water (p. 184), the 

 deeper limit of which is characterized by a temperature of about 3° 

 C. and a salinity of about 34.90%o. This intermediate water is con- 

 sidered to lie below the surface water and offshore of the more rapid 



