How were the modern coral reefs formed?

Modern coral reefs. Modern reefs are not necessarily coral-dominated. Some, forming intertidal structures in the Caribbean and Bermuda, are made by vermetid 'worms' (molluscs). read more

the great barrier reef. One of the wonders of the world. 348,700 km square. 600 varieties of soft and hard coral. 8,000 years old , developed after the last Ice Age. read more

Coral reef formation involves a variety of processes operating at different spatial scales, and our discussion of how coral reefs are formed reflects that reality. At smaller spatial scales we can examine reef building process at the level of the individual reef. read more

Most of the coral reefs we can see today were formed after the last glacial period when melting ice caused the sea level to rise and flood the continental shelves. This means that most modern coral reefs are less than 10,000 years old. As communities established themselves on the shelves, the reefs grew upwards, pacing rising sea levels. read more