Coast and Fjord

Research

Published: February 23rd 2015 | Last change: May 5th 2020

The Norwegian coastline is an important area for value creation, but knowledge and information is lacking for the ocean floor, and planning has often been based on out-of -date information. One of our tasks, therefore, is to map the geology and the condition of the ocean floor using the latest methods.

Tafjord at Sunnmøre – showing depth data from Kartverk.no. Photo: Odd Harald Selboskar.

Ordinary ocean maps provide limited information about ocean depths, and completely lack information about the submarine landscape, sediments, currents and other environmental conditions. In order to optimize the value creation, in a sustainable way, we need more knowledge. A good knowledge base may help minimize conflicts related to marine area use.

Several NGU projects have provided detailed Marine maps from areas on the coast. The most detailed maps so far is prepared in Fosnes municipality in Nord-Trøndelag County, in South Troms and in the Oslo fjord. The maps are of great help in the municipalities 'management' of their marine areas.

As an example, municipal planners can directly access data from detailed digital maps that contain information regarding anchoring conditions, dredgability and identify oxygen-poor areas. Hence, decisions as to where a fish farms can be placed can take into consideration factors that will allow for optimal fish health, high productivity, and secure anchoring.

Lofotodden – flyfoto med dybdedata fra Kartverket. Foto: Fjellanger Widerøe. — Lofotodden – air photo showing depth data from Kartverket. Photo: Fjellanger Widerøe.

Kartlegging av havbunnen ved hjelp av NGUs interferometriske sonar montert ombord på FF Seisma. — Mapping of the ocean floor using interferometric sonar mounted on board NGUs FF Seisma.

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