It is a national goal for Norway to maintain a rich and clean ocean. NGU contributes to this by undertaking research and mapping of our coastal and ocean areas.
The coast in Vikna, Mid-Norway. Photo: Harald Sveian
The petroleum industry requires at the same time an improved knowledge of the deep setting of the Norwegian continental shelf. NGU is therefore collaborating with NPD and petroleum companies to acquire and interpret potential field data offshore Norway.
Perspective map of the magnetic field in the Barents Sea revealing the continuation of the Caledonides northwards from Finnmark below the Barents Sea to Svalbard. Map: M. Brönner & L. Gernigon.
Norway's rich marine resources are managed by a variety of state, county and local institutions.
Sustainable management
Knowledge of our ocean and seabed resources, together with an understanding of the natural and anthropogenic processes which affect them, are essential for sustainable management.
Example of seabed data collected with NGU's research vessel FF Seisma in the inner part of the Oslofjord. The image to the left shows bathymetry in Bjørvika. Yellow colours indicate shallow areas; blue colours show water depths of more than 20 metres. The image to the right shows seabed sediment properties. Blue colours indicate soft seabed sediments (mud) while yellow colours indicate hard seabed sediments (gravel). The picture shows that ship propellers have blown away the most fine-grained sediments on the seabed.
Published: 04. January 2008