What Is a Fringing Reef?

Definition

• A fringing reef is a coral reef that is attached to some type of land. These reefs can be attached to islands or to the mainland.

Growth

• Fringing reefs grow at a rate of 2 to 7 millimeters per year.

Reef Flat

• The reef flat is the part of a fringing reef found closet to the land. This part of the reef contains very little living coral because of the freshwater runoff from the land.

Reef Slope

• The reef slope is the part of a fringe reef closest to the ocean. This is where most of the living coral on the fringe reef is found.

Commonality

• Fringe reefs are the most commonly occurring type of coral reef.

Apron Reefs

• Young and immature fringe reefs are called apron reefs. Apron reefs are very common in parts of Hawaii.

Barrier Reefs

• Most barrier reefs are fringe reefs that kept growing as the shorelines they were attached to eroded away.