Moonfjord

Moonfjord is a glacial fjord on the northern coast of the island of Farhaven, in the Nordmark Province of the kingdom of Valen. It is one of the largest fjords in the region, opening to the Sea of the Crescent. The fjord runs approximately 38 kilometers from its glacier-fed head to its mouth, where steep cliffs rise up to 900 meters and enclose a deep, U-shaped valley. The mouth narrows to a 1.5-kilometer-wide channel that is frequently swept by strong tides and counter currents.

Origin and geology: carved during multiple glacial advances in the late Pleistocene, Moonfjord features dark basaltic walls with lighter silicate streaks. A terminal basin known as Moonpool collects freshwater from three tributary glaciers, creating seasonal brackish zones where unique microhabitats form.

Climate and ecology: the region has a subarctic climate with cool summers and long winters. The fjord supports populations of harbor seals, Atlantic cod, and migratory seabirds. A bioluminescent dinoflagellate blooms offshore at night, giving the water a faint blue glow near the surface. Local lore attributes this glow to the “moon spirits” of the fjord.

History and scope: Moonfjord has been mapped since the early 18th century and has been the subject of scientific study since the mid-19th century. The Moonfjord Reserve was established in 1989 to protect its marine and terrestrial habitats, while the surrounding waterway remains important for commercial and recreational fishing, tourism, and research.