The equatorial West Pacific fresh pool at the end of the La Nina event in October/November 1996

The salinity, temperature and current distributions have been measured duri ng the TROPAC cruise (Oct./Nov. 1996) at two sections, i.e. 143 degrees E a nd 150 degrees E, during the final phase of the 1995/1996 La Nina. The resu lts present evidence that the fresh pool and the salinity front at its east ern boundary had moved far to the west, and that a barrier layer existed in that phase. The observed currents support the idea that advective processe s play an essential role in creating the thermohaline structure during this ENSO phase. In relation with this process, it is found that the westward s ubduction mechanism of relatively dense eastern equatorial waters may apply during that phase.