Norwegian Sea

The Norwegian Sea is a marginal sea of the North Atlantic Ocean, located off the northwestern coast of Norway. It is a relatively young sea, formed during the last ice age as glaciers retreated. It is characterized by its deep waters, strong currents, and relatively cold temperatures. The Norwegian Sea is rich in marine life, supporting a variety of fish species, marine mammals, and seabirds.

Pullet Carpet Shell – Venerupis corrugata

Warty Venus – Venus verrucosa

Walrus – Odobenus rosmarus

European Flat Oyster, Edible Oyster, Common Oyster – Ostrea edulis

John dory – Zeus faber

California Sea Lion – Zalophus californianus

Eelpout – Zoarces viviparus

Arctic staghorn sculpin – Gymnocanthus tricuspis

Black goby – Gobius niger

Sea Urchin – Gracilechinus acutus

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Geography

The Norwegian Sea is situated between the Norwegian coast, Iceland, Greenland, and the Svalbard archipelago. It is connected to the North Atlantic Ocean through the Norwegian Current, which brings warm water from the south. The sea is characterized by a series of deep basins, including the Norwegian Basin, the Lofoten Basin, and the Vøring Basin. The deepest point of the Norwegian Sea is the Molloy Deep, at a depth of approximately 1,750 meters (5,740 feet).

Fauna

The Norwegian Sea is a rich and diverse ecosystem, hosting a wide range of marine life.

  • Fish: Cod, herring, haddock, saithe, mackerel, and blue whiting are some of the commercially important fish species found in the Norwegian Sea.
  • Marine mammals: Whales, such as the humpback whale, the minke whale, and the killer whale, are regular visitors to the sea. Seals and dolphins are also common inhabitants.
  • Seabirds: The Norwegian Sea is an important breeding ground for numerous seabird species, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes.

Surrounding Countries

The Norwegian Sea is bordered by the following countries:

  • Norway
  • Iceland
  • Greenland (Denmark)
  • Russia (Svalbard Archipelago)

Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Norwegian Sea:

  • Size: The Norwegian Sea covers an area of approximately 1.4 million square kilometers (540,000 square miles).
  • Depth: The average depth of the Norwegian Sea is around 1,600 meters (5,200 feet).
  • Water temperature: The surface water temperature of the Norwegian Sea varies between 0°C (32°F) in the winter and 10°C (50°F) in the summer.
  • Salinity: The salinity of the Norwegian Sea is around 35 parts per thousand.