9632357 BEARDSLEY This project represents a continuation of the analysis of the physical oceanographic information collected during Phase I of the U.S. GLOBEC Northwest Atlantic Field Studies on Georges Bank. Specifically, this project will: (a) complete the processing of physical data collected in the Georges Bank Stratification Study (GBSS) moored array, drifter; and hydrographic components; (b) use these results combined with other moored and hydrographic data to describe the development of stratification on Georges Bank; (c) describe and model the water column response to surface forcing along the southern flank, with emphasis on the surface and bottom boundary layers; (d) describe and model a massive intrusion of Slope water, apparently driven by a warm-core ring; and (e) compare the 1995 field data with prognostic model simulations driven with the measured surface forcing. ***