Fladen Ground is an area in the Scottish sector of the North Sea, between Scotland and Norway, about 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Aberdeen.[1] The Fair Isle current and adjacent East Shetland Atlantic tides contribute to a weak, anti-clockwise rotating vast vortex or eddy easily shown in the surface of the seabed.[1][2] Due to stratification of the water column in the summer months, seasonal change of deep water temperature is low. This measures (5.7–8 °C; 42–46 °F).[1] Water depths are predominantly between 100–150 m (330–490 ft; 55–82 fathoms), and the mostly muddy sea floor has accumulated sediments from some storm-driven scouring action to surrounds.[1][3] The dominant benthic animals are polychaetes and shellfish and other seafoods are common.[1] The name is not used by the British shipping (weather) forecast sectors, which extend the Long Forties depth zone eastward as Forties (see Long Forties) for simplicity.
