Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
coral reef
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Great Barrier Reef sea fan lagoons Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
How do corals reproduce?
crown-of-thorns sea star
What causes coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef?
How can coral reefs be protected from sunscreen damage?
coral bleaching near the Mariana Islands Coral reef in the Red Sea
For Students
coral reef summary
Quizzes
Taj Mahal, Agra, India. UNESCO World Heritage Site (minarets; Muslim, architecture; Islamic architecture; marble; mausoleum)
Wonders of the World Quiz
Chutes d'Ekom - a waterfall on the Nkam river in the rainforest near Melong, in the western highlands of Cameroon in Africa.
Ecosystems
Read Next
Great Barrier Reef coral bleached area map and infographic
How and Where Coral Bleaching Is Affecting the Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef coral bleached area map and infographic
Coral Bleaching: A Threat to Our Reefs
Discover
Statue of Nostradamus
Nostradamus and His Prophecies
Artist interpretation of space asteroids impacting earth and moon. Meteoroids, meteor impact, end of the world, danger, destruction, dinosaur extinct, Judgement Day, Doomsday Predictions, comet
Major Mass Extinctions
New York NY/ USA- November 23, 2018 Hordes of shoppers throng the Macy's Herald Square flagship store in New York looking for bargains on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday.
Why Is It Called Black Friday?
Estimated battle casualties, Normandy invasion, World War II. WWII, D-Day
Estimated Battle Casualties During the Normandy Invasion and Campaign to Liberate Paris (June–August 1944)
NBA Lakers Celtics Finals Kevin Garnett shooting.
10 Great Sports Rivalries
airplane in flight (plane, aircraft, flying)
7 Puzzling Plane Disappearances
Close up of praying mantis walking on stone ground against a blurred background in Japan
6 Animals That Eat Their Mates

coral reef: Facts & Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/coral-reef

News •

Farley urges protection of T&T’s ‘blue assets’ as new book warns of fragile reefs • June 14, 2025, 3:58 PM ET (Trinidad Guardian)
Microplastics found in marine animals in S’pore’s coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds: Study • May 20, 2025, 6:26 AM ET (Straits Times)

Facts

Also Known As organic reef

Photos and Videos

Great Barrier Reef
sea fan
lagoons
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
crown-of-thorns sea star
coral bleaching near the Mariana Islands
Coral reef in the Red Sea
A diver exploring a coral reef in the Maldives.
coral reef
fringing reef
How do corals reproduce?
What causes coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef?
How can coral reefs be protected from sunscreen damage?
Behaviors of butterflyfish and squirrelfish
Various fish species in South Pacific coral reefs
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
British naturalist
Dana, James D.
James D. Dana
American geologist and mineralogist
Alexander Agassiz
Alexander Agassiz
Swiss scientist
Murray, Sir John
Sir John Murray
Scottish Canadian oceanographer

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
Chutes d'Ekom - a waterfall on the Nkam river in the rainforest near Melong, in the western highlands of Cameroon in Africa.
Ecosystems
Taj Mahal, Agra, India. UNESCO World Heritage Site (minarets; Muslim, architecture; Islamic architecture; marble; mausoleum)
Wonders of the World Quiz