how long does it take for coral reefs to grow
Depending on their size, barrier reefs and atolls can take from 100,000 to 30,000,000 years to fully form. As coral reefs grow, they establish characteristic biogeographic patterns. Click the image for a larger view. All three reef typesfringing, barrier and atollshare similarities in their biogeographic profiles.s the corals grow and expand, reefs take on one of three major characteristic structures fringing, barrier or atoll. Fringing reefs, which are the most common, project seaward directly from the shore, forming borders along the shoreline and surrounding islands.
The coral reefs existing today began growing as early as 50 million years ago. Most established coral reefs are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old. Although size can be a good indicator of the age of a coral reef, it is not a certain indicator.he coral reefs existing today began growing as early as 50 million years ago. Most established coral reefs are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old. Although size can be a good indicator of the age of a coral reef, it is not a certain indicator.