The red sea coral reef is northernmost in the Indian ocean. Its reef platforms are over 5000 years old. The entire coastal reef complex extends about 2000km. Most of the reefs in the red sea grow directly from the shoreline. The most actively growing corals include most notably highly branched species of the genera Acropora and Porites. The red sea also contains numerous reefs. Most coral reef shapes are a result of the active and unusual tectonic forces that continue today.
There is only slow and retricted water exchange between the red sea and the other part of the Indian ocean. The red sea coral reef has an unusually high tolerance to extreme temperatures and turbidity that occurs in the region. The water is extremely clear in the red sea due to the lack of river discharge and low rainfall.
There is only slow and retricted water exchange between the red sea and the other part of the Indian ocean. The red sea coral reef has an unusually high tolerance to extreme temperatures and turbidity that occurs in the region. The water is extremely clear in the red sea due to the lack of river discharge and low rainfall.