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Coral reef block diagram

By Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center 2002 (approx.)
Illustration of a coral reef to show the components and names of the different sections.
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Detailed Description

Many coral reefs fringing coasts consist of nearshore inner reef flats that slope to deeper water fore reefs farther offshore. The reef crest, between the inner reef flat and outer fore reef, lies in extremely shallow water and may be exposed during the lowest tides. Waves commonly crash against or break on the reef crest. Fringing reefs help to protect harbors, beaches, and shorelines from erosion and wave damage by storms.

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.

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