Abstract
This chapter describes the geology of reef islands of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) of Australia. Australia's GBR extends over 15° of latitude. Clearly visible from space, the GBR is probably the largest structure on Earth built by plants and animals. This reef is made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and about 750 fringing reefs attached to the mainland or the numerous islands of the Queensland coastline. The GBR forms a true near-continuous barrier only in its most northern third. Reefs vary in size from small isolated pinnacles to massive structures over 25 km in length and 125 km 2 in area. Changes in the reef-top geometry are also important factors in long-term changes to reef islands. In the long term, reef islands are merely a temporary store of sediments in the total reef system, a store that may increase or decrease in size according to internal storage characteristics, internal reef factors, or completely external factors over which the reef itself has no control.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
