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Cross-section of coral growth bands

By Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program
Cross-sectional view of a coral branch, looking close at the center of the branch and showing growth layers.
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Detailed Description

Close-up of the coral branch at left, showing a cross-section of its growth bands. At very high resolution, one can count these annual growth bands to determine age. This particular species deposits material made of calcium carbonate (light) and material made mostly of protein (dark) to form its skeleton.

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.