barrier reef
Lagoon-forming coral ridge
A barrier reef is a coral reef running parallel to a coastline but separated from it by a lagoon or channel of open water.
The reef acts as a barrier, breaking waves before they reach shore.
The Great Barrier Reef off Australia's northeast coast is the world's largest, stretching over 1,400 miles.
- island chainSeries of linked islands
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- ocean floorUnderwater continental surface
- coral bleachingStress-induced reef discoloration
- lagoonSheltered coastal shallows
limestone · World Heritage Site · polyp · marine · coral polyps · endemic species · tropical fish · biodiversity · underwater · symbiosis · coastal erosion · seagrass beds · channel · habitat · anemone · shallow · diving · ecosystem
- reef sciencecoral bleaching, polyps, symbiosis, atoll, ocean acidification
- ecosystemsrainforest, forest, desert, jungle, ocean
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- barrierswalls, wall, fences, fence, gates
- coastal landformsbeach, beaches, cliff, cliffs, coast
- coastscliffs, shoreline, sandy shore, coves, bays
rift, barrier, reef, barricade, reefs, coral reef, barriers, barrier island, barrier reefs