The beginning of the study of this largest reef barrier off the coast of exotic Australia was laid by the great navigator James Cook. The first ship that managed to pass between the coast of the mainland and this powerful reef system along a narrow strait was his sailing ship Endeavor.
The article provides information about an amazing natural object - the Great Barrier Reef (Australia).
Bit of history
James Cook's sailboat traveled over 1,000 kilometers without maps along a complex fairway teeming with underwater cliffs and shoals, which became a marvel of seafaring art. Even the famous Cook experienced the treachery of the waters of these places. His ship nevertheless ran into the reef, as a result of which the hull was damaged, but, throwing part of the cargo and all the guns overboard, the English captain was able to take off the dangerous cliff and get to the shore.
More than two centuries have passed since then, and during that time, many ships have been damaged and sunk on Australian coral reefs. Even the geographical names in this zone of the Coral Sea speak of the great danger of these places: the islands of Hope, Tormenting Bay, Cape Beda.
Despite all this, the waters of the Great Barrier Reef area attract many here as a magnet in search of the treasures of sunken ships.
Location
Where is the Great Barrier Reef? The most wonderful creation of nature stretched for more than 2900 km along the coast of Australia (northeast). It represents the largest coral system in the world, the greatest living structure on the entire planet. This miracle is located in the Coral Sea, it stretches almost parallel to the coast of Queensland.
This powerful system stretches from south to north. It starts at the tropic of Capricorn, which is located between Gladstone and Bundaberg, and ends in the Torres Strait, which separates New Guinea from Australia. In the northern part, near Cape Melville, the complex is only 32-50 km from the coast, and from the southern part it breaks up into separate small groups of reef formations, which are almost 300 km away from the coast in some places. It is in these places that true diving fans make a pilgrimage.
About the reef
The origin of the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) occurred about 25 million years ago as a result of the movement of the lithosphere plate. At that time, the entire coast of the area, called today the state of Queensland, was completely flooded with tropical waters. The larvae of corals that were brought here by the warm currents of the ocean remained fixed on the ground.
Colonies began to grow over time and cover large areas of the seabed. The process continued for millennia, which led to the birth of this miracle of nature. Intensive growth of layers occurred simultaneously with an increase in ocean level. The Great Barrier Reef has an ancient history of layers, which is approximately 10 thousand years old. The youngest sites located at the peaks of the older ones have been formed over the past 200 years. They are located at a depth of about 20 meters.
Description
The complex includes almost 3,000 different reefs and a large number of islands (more than 900), which are dotted with a lagoon. The total area of the stone marine giant is 344 thousand 400 square meters. km It is practically impossible to establish the exact size, due to the fact that the area of the islands varies depending on the ebb and flow. The complex from the point of view of sciences (biology, geology) is one of the greatest miracles created by nature. It has global significance.
Some of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef (about 100) are always covered with vegetation. There are high islands (approximately 600) surrounded by their own reefs.
For comparison, it can be noted that the total area of the barrier is larger than the territory of Great Britain.
About coral polyps
The dimensions of the Great Barrier Reef are so large that you can see it from space. This fact is very impressive, if we take into account the size of the creatures that "built" such a powerful object.
This system is formed by billions of small animals, the size of which does not exceed a grain of rice. These are coral polyps whose appearance is similar to a tiny inverted jellyfish in a stone bowl. They live in colonies. They are not able to build reefs on their own, so microscopic algae that are imprisoned in the tentacles of animals are their helpers. Thanks to them, sunlight is converted into energy food for corals. Such symbiosis is able to convert minerals into calcium carbonate, which builds skeletons.
So each of the multiple colonies grows and develops, building up entire limestone masses on the ground. It should be noted that this world is fragile and defenseless: even a slight increase in temperature can lead to the death of coral polyps.
National park
In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef received UNESCO heritage status. Earlier, in 1979, a national marine park was founded here.
The territory of the reef complex began to be used since the time of the active settlement of Australia by the ancestors of the natives. It was about 40 thousand years ago.
The history of the reserve is interesting and deserves attention. The first European to discover this system in 1768 was Louis Antoine de Bougainville, but he did not pretend to secure his rights to France. Royal Navy captain Matthew Flinders sailed around the mainland in the early 19th century. He did this to map his coastline. Charles Jeffries in 1815 studied the reef from the mainland.
Most of the system was marked on pilotage maps in the 1840s, making it possible for the area to become relatively safe for ocean vessels. Immediately began the massive export to Europe of pearls, corals and trepangs. To stop such barbaric development of natural resources, in the first half of the twentieth century it was decided to declare some islands with adjacent water areas as marine parks, and in 1975 the Australian government passed a law establishing a marine reserve - the Great Barrier Reef Park. In 1997, he was included in the list of seven natural wonders of the world.
Inhabitants of sea waters and islands
The world of the inhabitants of these waters is rich and diverse. There are 1,500 species of marine fish, among which there are exotic bright clown fish, butterfly fish, parrot fish. There are moray eels, sharks (125 species in total), many octopuses and crustaceans, mollusks (4000 species), sea snakes (17 species), whales, killer whales, dolphins, dugong (aquatic mammal is a relative of the sea cow). The latter is an endangered species and is listed in the world Red Book.
It should be noted and the turtles of the Great Barrier Reef. There are six species in total. The largest is a green turtle (or soup), which is quite rare. Its length can reach 1.5 meters, weight - 200 kg or more. The Australian turtle gained fame because of its tasty meat, and therefore it was seriously damaged.
The islands are inhabited by many birds (about 240 species), including petrels, frigates, gannets, white-bellied eagles, phaetons, terns, etc. You can also meet here poisonous snakes (100 species), fantastically beautiful butterflies and many exotic animals.
Paradise for divers
In order to study at least part of the underwater reefs of these places and get acquainted with some rare representatives of the water world, it will take more than one month.
Reefs located in the southern part of the system, where the Great Barrier Reef is located at a great distance from the mainland coast (up to 300 km), are very popular with divers. The chain of reef formations here splits into small groups, evenly spaced along the coast of the continent.
These places are so attractive for the study of oceanic fauna and flora that divers often run the risk of even encountering their colleagues underwater.
Most popular holiday islands
- Heron is a paradise for diving. Located in the southern part of the reef system, has the status of a resort. There is a secluded atmosphere.
- Dunk. Perfect for a bright and measured vacation on the Great Barrier Reef with your family. This is one of the most beautiful tropical islands in the world.
- Hyman. It is one of the richest and most prestigious resorts. It offers vacationers - excellent landscaped beaches, 10 restaurants. Among the newlyweds, he is especially popular.
- Lizard. This is a place for exclusive holidays for special guests, for those who can afford not to save on vacation. This is one of the most expensive and famous resorts in the world. Having been there, you can fully appreciate all the advantages of another paradise, which is part of the reef complex. On the coast of the island there are 24 exclusive beaches with superior conditions. They are located in the northern part of the reef.
Some interesting facts
- The water around the reef is crystal clear. Corals help improve the quality of the surrounding water. This is due to the fact that they act like a filter - they catch what is floating there.
- There is a reef fee ($ 6 a day) that any visitor to a reef older than four years pays. Profits go to the park to carry out activities to protect the ecosystem.
- The Great Barrier Reef is larger in area than many countries. He could take a place between Germany and the Congo (63rd place). Also, it surpasses many American states in the territory - only Texas, Alaska, Montana and California are bigger than it.
- Reef today is under serious external impact on its entire environment (climate change, overfishing, pollution, oil spills, etc.). All this leads to discoloration of coral. Scientists estimate that more than 93% of reefs are currently discolored.
- One of the solutions proposed to preserve the reef system is to move it to a more favorable place. In 2008, one part of the reef (5 tons) was already transported to Dubai. But moving the entire system is technically impossible.
- Where the Great Barrier Reef is located, hard corals, which are the basis, grow at a very low speed - only 15 mm per year.
- For 27 years (from 1985 to 2012), the reef was badly damaged - it lost more than half of its coral.
Conclusion
The reef is an extremely popular destination among tourists, its resort areas bring huge revenues. So, in 2013, tourism profit amounted to 6.4 billion US dollars.
Australia's famous landmark every year receives on its territory about two million visitors. But, unfortunately, in addition to a beneficial effect on the development of the country's economy, this also has negative consequences, inevitably destroying the entire coral complex. In this regard, the government has set some restrictions to protect the ecosystem, but the harm done cannot be completely prevented.