Over a half million years ago, the Great Barrier Reef began to take shape. The continental shelf has constantly evolved over time, and depending on the depth of the place where you stand, the current formation may be anywhere from six to eight-thousand years old.
Formations Today
The reef we see today began to form around 7,000 years ago, during an event known as the Last Glacial Maximum. Sea levels had been raising by about 15 millimeters per year for the past 9,000 years. For the 19,000 years prior, sea levels had dropped dramatically. As they regained their levels, dramatic changes struck the reef.
The Beginning
The Reef itself formed from the sediment of the Great Dividing Range, which was at one point Australia’s largest mountain range. Roughly 13,000 years ago, when the sea level was about 200 feet lower than its current level, coral began to form around the hills of the coastal plans. This land had become part of the continental island over time.As temperatures increased over time, the glaciers melted and submerged the majority of the Continental islands. The remaining coral began to form the basis of the reefs that divers and sea life explore today.
Changing the Landscape
Of course, man made changes to the landscape have affected populations. The Great Barrier Reef was one of the most renowned and well-tended natural sites in the world. Recent bouts with overfishing and manmade problems have put the wildlife in danger.
