Marine Landscapes

The table describes the classification of marine areas into different landscapes. Landscape is in this case defined as a larger geographical area with visually uniform character. Classification i based on Naturtyper i Norge (NiN) (Erikstad et al. 2009)

SymbolLandscapeDefinition/descriptionCode
StrandflatA relatively flat crystalline bedrock platform, partially submerged. The strandflat consists of hilly plains or platforms with distinct boundaries to mountains/highlands on the landward side, and continental shelf on the seaward side.1
Smooth continental slopeAreas of continental slope between canyons and between the continental shelf break and the deep sea plain.21
Marine canyonDeep gorge with steep margins incised into the continental slope.22
Marine valleyTrough on the continental shelf, at places cutting into the strandflat, with a relative relief of >200 m and a width of >1 km.31
Open fjordWide fjord of moderate depth (<200 m) with fjord sides rising <200 m above sealevel. Fjord slopes are relatively gentle (10º to 15º). *See footnote.32
Deep-cut fjordDeep fjord (water depths >200m) with fjord sides rising to more than 200 m above sealevel. Fjord slopes are relatively steep (>15º), in places with cliffs and crags along most of the valley's length. Fjords of this type are usually isolated from the sea by well-defined thresholds. *See footnote.33
Deep sea plainDeep ocean floor below continental slope comprising both abyssal plain and continental rise. Relative relief is typically low (<50 m).41
Continental slope plainPlateau on the continental slope where the seabed has minor relief variations (relative relief <50 m) and usually a thick sediment cover.42
Continental shelf plainPlain on the continental shelf forming a relatively flat (relative relief <50 m) platform between the continental slope and the strandflat/coast.43
Shallow marine valleyTrough on the continental shelf, with relative relief of 100-200 m.431
Marine hills and mountainsArea of the seabed with relative relief >50 m within a square of 1 km2, but without well-defined valleys. **See footnote.51
Archipelago (islands and straits) Coastal landscape, both below and above the sea level, which is not part of the strandflat. Relative relief >50 m within a square of 1 km2. Numerous small islands separated by straits make archipelagos a distinctive landscape type. **See footnote.52


* Landscape types defined by NiN. In the MAREANO programme, no distinction has been made between open and deep-cut fjords.
**NiN landscape types outside MAREANO-area.


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