The Central Water of the North Atlantic is the predominant water mass in the Madeiras basin, although a Central Water flow from the South Atlanctic may also be found. Generally, the first is warmer and more saline, and the second one has a lot more nutrients. Between 900 and 1200 m depth, there is a water mass that comes from the Mediterranean Sea, the Mediterranean Water. It is a tongue of saline water that spreads itself to the south from the Strait of Gibraltar. Furthermore, the penetration of a subpolar water module at the south of the Azores may also occur.