Geographical Forming and Transforming Processes

There are many processes involved in making such a magnificent and large coral reef. Some which are forming the reefs and others which are transforming the reef.

The two main geographical and scientific processes which form and transform the Great Barrier Reef. The first is weathering, a process involoving the breaking down of matter (in this case coral). The second process is erosion, the moving of matter from one place to another, moving the sediments, sand, coral and seeds. The agents of weathering include tidal power, natural disasters and wind, these are also agents of erosion.

Firstly the forming of the great barrier reef's primary/ bottom layer was formed some 20,000 years ago and the most recent of the the great barrier reef was formed by the steady growth of coral in shallow warm waters.Coral is a living organism made up of individual polyps suroounding a hard skeleton. Coral is the basis of all the Great barrier reef structures including the islands, which are made of compressed piles of coral sand.

The forming of coral sand is a transforming process which involves the weathering and breaking down of dead coral into sand when subject to tidal power. The coral sand is eroded, meaning moved and deposited in another place, and is compressed into small islands or flats.

The coral reef is steadily receding as much of the wildlife and coral is destroyed due to pollution, over-fishing and natural disasters (cyclones).