On mechanism of coral reefs outer slope buildingup

Abstract

Spurs and channels at reef's outer slope make a natural breakwater which ensures both wave energy dissipation and water exchange at the reef's surface. Successive stages of the spurs formation can be observed at the same locality (as it has been found at Seychelles), which gives evidence on the spurs formation by growth and merging of coral colonies due to prevailing waves. The relief and lower limit of spurs and channels depend on prevailing waves parameters. The spurs formation from the coral colonies growth result in the reef's expansion.