Development of geomorphological zonation in fringing reefs : the ryukyu islands, japan

The formation process of coral reef zonation was summarized by drilling results and trench observations in several fringing reefs in the central Ryukyu Islands. The prototype of reef zonation emerged when the reef first reached sea level as an offshore barrier in the middle Holocene. Then, reef has expanded seaward by development of reef edge spurs under the almost stable sea level condition in the late Holocene. Contrary to the reef which first reached sea level at offshore, obscure zonal pattern is formed where the initial growth axis lies at the landward end because of no energy related gradient during reef development