2017-12-16 - Reef Fact of the Week - Barrier Reefs

[Mark Shelly]

A barrier reef is like a mature fringing reef. It differs in that it is usually farther offshore with a deep body of water between it and the shore. The length and water depth make it a barrier to ocean waves which break offshore. Ships could sail behind it and become protected. A barrier reef might be composed of fringing reefs and atolls as well. It may have many sandy islands as well. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from space and is about 1400 miles long. It comprises about 3000 individual reefs and around 900 islands. It may be 20 Million Years old, starting when water temperatures rose. Around 13,000 years ago, sea level was about 60 feet lower than today. The reefs started around large islands that have since been submerged. Most of the current active reefs are about 6000 to 8000 years old, growing on older reefs with the rising sea levels. There have been many coral bleaching episodes on the Great Barrier Reef in recent years. The Belize Barrier Reef extends for 180 miles and ranges from 1000 feet to 25 miles offshore. The Ningaloo Reef is almost as long. It is on the west side of Australia.
Great Barrier Reef seen from space.

A closer look at the Great Barrier reef.

Belize Barrier Reef is the 2nd longest barrier reef.

Here is another picture of the reef.



Here are a few videos you might want to check out.


https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=barrier+reefs&&view=detail&mid=C5FA253EA099F8DB6AEBC5FA253EA099F8DB6AEB&FORM=VRDGAR

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Great+Barrier+Reef+From+Space&&view=detail&mid=95E9DE5458B086D52A0295E9DE5458B086D52A02&FORM=VRDGAR

 

[myrjon]

The Belize Barrier Reef is a really neat place .would really like to learn to scuba dive.