coral formations
Marine skeletal colonies
Coral formations are structures built over time by colonies of coral polyps, whose calcium carbonate skeletons accumulate into reefs, atolls, and other underwater landscapes.
The term appears in marine biology, diving, and environmental contexts: The coral formations off the coast attract snorkelers from around the world.
Coral formations support enormous biodiversity and are vulnerable to warming oceans and acidification.
- barrier reefsOffshore coral formations creating lagoons
- atollsRing-shaped coral islands
- polypFleshy membrane projection
- calcium carbonateMineral in shells and marble
- sea fanBranching colonial coral
growth patterns · climate change · biodiversity hotspots · symbiosis · fisheries · marine sanctuary · biomimicry · overfishing · brain · tentacles · diving · snorkeling · anemone · ridges · deep sea · lagoon · tropical waters · underwater
- marine ecosystemsphytoplankton, oceans, zooplankton, marine life, krill
- Mediterranean Seabluefin tuna, sardines, anchovies, sea bass, grouper
- coral reefsreef, corals, soft corals, polyp, polyps
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
- Dutch IslandsAruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Urk
- ocean geologyseafloor, seabed, ocean basins, ocean floor, ocean basin
coral formationsrock formations
Distinct geological structures
volcanic rock · igneous rock · basalt · granite · sedimentary rock
coral formationspolar seas
Oceans at Earth's extremes
open ocean · deep sea floor · hydrothermal vents · kelp forests