Page 134 - Super Earth Encyclopedia

LIVING ROCK

GREAT BARRIER REEF

One of the most impressive rock formations on Earth, The open tropical ocean
the Great Barrier Reef in Australia has been built by living supports far less life than the
coral reef, which is one of
organisms. For thousands of years, tropical corals have the richest habitats on Earth.
been absorbing minerals from ocean water and using The box jellyfish that
drift around the reef
them to make their stony skeletons. In the process, have stinging tentacles
they have built up a huge bank of coral rock that for paralyzing their prey.
extends the length of Australia’s northeast coast.

Glittering waters
AT A GLANCE Reef corals are animals that have
microscopic plantlike algae living in
their tissues. These algae use the energy
from sunlight to make food, which the
corals need to survive, so coral reefs
can grow only in clear, sunlit water.
The Great Barrier Reef has formed in
the shallow water covering Australia’s
continental shelf, where it supports a
dazzling diversity of sea life.

• LOCATION Coral Sea coast of Queensland,

northeastern Australia
• TYPE Tropical coral reef
Powerful predators, like
• AREA 14,300 sq miles (37,000 sq km) this tiger shark, patrol the
• AGE Reef started growing more than fringes of the reef.
25 million years ago

STATS AND FACTS

WATER TEMPERATURE EXTENT
The Great Barrier
Reef is a vast Reef corals grow The Great Barrier
only in water with
Reef extends for
complex of almost a temperature of a distance of at
3,000 reefs – about 20–29°C (68–84°F). least 1,430 miles WORLD’S
the size of Italy. (2,300 km).
The reef is home
to probably more ISLANDS REEF LIFE LARGEST
wildlife species than Between the edges The reef supports
any other habitat of the mainland more than 600 LIVING STRUCTURE
on Earth. and the coral reef, species of coral,
there are more and 1,600
than 2,000 islands. species of fish.

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