Although we know coral exists in the cool waters and emerald seas, when we think of coral, we usually think of it thriving in warmer waters. However, Norway -- which is pretty far north and has some pretty cold waters -- has healthy, beautiful coral growing along much of its coast. In fact, Norway is home to the world's largest cold water coral reef. Found off Lofoten, Norway's reef, about 21 miles long and 1.8 miles wide, lies at a depth of around 1000 feet.

Many people, like Jan Helge Fosså of the marine research institute Havforskningsinstituttet, are eager to protect the reef. However, Fosså and other environmentalists face the challenge of keeping local fishermen away from it. The fishermen have known about it for years, of course, because their trawlers often rip off chunks of it and pull it to the surface. Despite this, over the past few years, researchers have been using mini-subs to chart and photograph the reef, to make sure oil exploration efforts don't further damage it.