Evolution of reefs and islands, northern Great Barrier Reef: synthesis and interpretation

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Abstract
This paper brings together the evidence from shallow coring, surface geomorphology, lithology of exposed rocks, superficial sediment accumulations, vegetation patterns, and the historical record derived from radiometric dating to suggest a sequence of reef and island development on the northern Great Barrier Reef in Holocene time. Reefs initially grew vertically as the sea rose rapidly from glacial low levels. This continued until vertical growth was limited by the air/sea interface as the rate of sea level rise slowed. Vertical growth was then replaced by reef flat formation at low intertidal levels, and by the lateral extension of reefs, especially to leeward. Superficial sediment accumulations on the reef flat define a series of changing habitats for further organic growth, and also record the sequence of Holocene events. Controls of the transition from vertical to horizontal reef growth will be discussed and some comments offered on latitudinal variation in reef form along the Great Barrier Reef.

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