A Mediterranean Water mass formed in the Indonesian Seas (the Australasian Mediterranean Sea), also known as Banda Sea Water. Of Pacific origin, it undergoes strong freshening as a result of heavy rainfall. AAMW is characterized by uniform salinity of 34. 7 psu from the surface to depths of at least 1000 m, indicating strong mixing in the formation region. It can be followed in the Indian Ocean as a band of low- salinity water along 10°S as far west as Madagascar.