Reefs of Norway A plethora of Lophelia pertusa in Norwegian
waters Norway has the highest known density of Lophelia pertusa
reefs in the world, mapped at depths between 39 and 400 metres.
The estimated spatial coverage of Norwegian Lophelia reefs is
2,000 km², a greater coverage than some countries with well
known tropical reefs such as Belize, Mozambique or Seychelles.
Some of these reefs have been estimated at over 8,000 years old
based on geophysical, visual, geochemical, radiocarbon and other
analyses. The first Lophelia reef ever photographed under water
(left) in Norway was off the coast of northern Norway at 120 m
water depth, in 1982, during pipeline route surveys conducted by
the petroleum company Statoil. Subsequently, they were found
also on the continental shelf off Mid-Norway in 1985 and
onwards. Here, acoustic surveys revealed large mounds, which
were 10 to 25 m in height. It wasn't until 1990 that the
research team was able to inspect these mounds using a remotely
operated vehicle - the first u