Fjord

A fjord is a long, deep, narrow body of water that sits far inland. The defining characteristic of a fjord is that “fjords are often set in a U-shaped valley with steep walls of rock on either side.” Geographically, fjords are “found mainly in Norway, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, Greenland, and the U.S. state of Alaska,” with one of the largest current fjords, “Sognefjorden,” being a fjord in Norway, which is “more than 160 kilometers (nearly 100 miles) long” [1].

The origin of fjords can be traced to the last recorded ice age. A process called glaciation allowed for glaciers to “move very slowly over time and greatly alter the landscape once they have moved through an area." When these glaciers moved, they carved deep valleys, which is what give fjords their distinctive steep walls. Moving farther inland the slope is greater, due to greater glacial force [1].

Fjords are not only a natural spectacle to observe; they also serve an important ecosystem. For instance, “some of the largest coral reefs are found at the bottom of fjords in Norway. They are home to several types of fish, plankton and sea anemones." The coral reefs in fjords differ from tropical reefs in the organisms they are able to support. The reefs found in fjords are in much deeper and colder waters than typical tropical reefs, and the deeper waters lead to higher pressure and only certain organisms are able to survive in that environment [1].

Often found close to fjords are small, rocky, and jagged islands called skerries. Similar to fjords, these islands are formed through glaciation. These skerries serve the function of breakwater, often located along a coastline. The water around these skerries can be very turbulent, making them an undesirable location for harbors. However, in the circumstance of fjords, waterbodies around fjords “are generally calm and protected. This makes them popular harbors for ships” [1].

References

[1] National Geographic Society, Stanley, M. (2012, October 9). Fjord. Retrieved (2021, July 20), from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fjord/