Trondheimsfjord

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The Trondheimsfjord (Trondheimsfjorden), an inlet of the Norwegian Sea, is Norway's third longest fjord, 130 km long, in the west central part of the country. It stretches from Ørland in west to Steinkjer in north, passing the city of Trondheim on its way. Its maximum depth is 617 meters, just inside of Agdenes. The largest islands in the fjord are Ytterøy and Tautra; the small Munkholmen is located near the harbor of Trondheim; there are several islands at the entrance of the fjord. The narrow Skarnsundet is crossed by the Skarnsund Bridge; the part of the fjord to the north of the strait is referred to as Beitstadfjord. The main part of Trondheimsfjord is ice free all year; only Verrasundet, a long and narrow fjord branch in the northern part of the fjord, might be ice covered in winter. The Beitstadfjord might also freeze over in winter, but only for a few weeks.

The towns Stjørdal, Levanger and Steinkjer are found on the eastern and northern shore of the fjord. Aker Verdal in Verdal produces large offshore installations for the petroleum sector. A yard in Rissa completed the luxurious apartment ship The World.

Trondheimsfjord and eastern part of Trondheim, October 2, 2005. View towards west-northwest.

Trondheimsfjorden with lighthouse

Trondheimsfjorden has a rich marine life, with more fish species than any other fjord in Norway. In recent years deep water corals (Lophelia pertusa) were discovered in the fjord, not far from the city of Trondheim. Several of the best salmon rivers in Norway empty into Trondheimsfjord. Among these are Gaula (in Melhus just south of Trondheim), Orkla (in Orkdal), Stjørdalselva (in Stjørdal) and Verdalselva (in Verdal).

The lowland east and south of the fjord represents one of Norway's best agricultural areas. The more rugged and mountainous Fosen peninsula is situated to the west and northwest, giving some shelter from the wind common to coastal areas.

The Trondheimsfjord was an important waterway in the Viking Age, as it is still today. In 1888, an undersea mudslide caused a tsunami which killed one person in Trondheim and ruptured three railway lines.