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The density anomaly of water makes mass density increase with temperature up to $T_m$ and decrease above $T_m$. Since temperature increases with depth in the stated layer, the density profile first increases to its maximum ${\rho }_m$ at the $T=T_m$ isotherm and then decreases toward the warm bottom.

The upper region has denser water below lighter water and hence stable density stratification. Below the density maximum, density decreases downward, so lighter water lies beneath denser water and gives unstable density stratification. The lower region therefore overturns by thermal convection, while the cold upper region remains a stagnant cap. This coexistence is penetrative convection.