Troughs , with depths in excess of 200 m, occur between the banks. The coastal fjords are deep, generally over 250 m and some in excess of 700 m in depth. The Labrador Current floods the Grand Banks with cold water, which mixes with the warm water of the Gulf Stream in gyres and eddies around Flemish Cap, a shallow bank rising to within 51 m of the surface from depths in excess of 1800 m located some 600 km to the southeast. Upwelling is common, resulting in high productivity over the banks. The region is generally ice free all winter, though icebergs are fairly common, mainly far offshore .
Intense storms are quite frequent, particularly during the winter months.
The coastline is bold and indented, with many islands, bays and several fjords. Rocky shores and bedrock cliffs rising 150 m and more from the sea dominate the area, with some sandy shores and estuaries . Raised beaches are common locally. The Wildlife The Grand Banks of Newfoundland have always been one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. The region has the second largest Northern gannet colony in North America, as well as the only North American colony of Manx shearwaters, a species most commonly found breeding in Europe.