The Great Barrier Reef

Size

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on the planet! It is so large that it can be seen from space! The Great Barrier Reef is a living coral reef system. The Great Barrier Reef is made up of nearly 3,000 smaller coral reefs and extends for more than 1,250 miles. Because of its natural beauty, the Great Barrier Reef has become one of the worlds most sought after tourist destinations. A visitor to the Great Barrier Reef can enjoy many experiences including snorkeling, scuba diving, educational trips, cruise ship tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins.

Age

Not only is the reef huge, it is also incredibly old. These reefs formed over millions of years. As corals lived, grew, and died, their hard skeletons built layer upon layer, forming large underwater formations called reefs. Unfortunately, climate change, pollution, and over-fishing are threatening the health of this reef system.  According to a 2019 study, since 1985 the Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half of its corals with two-thirds of the loss occurring from 1998 due to the factors listed above.

Wildlife

The Great Barrier Reef is teeming with marine life. Brightly colored fish and shellfish search for food and hide among the corals. Sponges, starfish and anemones cling to the coral reefs, decorating them like living ornaments. The Great Barrier Reef supports an extraordinary diversity of life, including many vulnerable or endangered species, some of which may be only found in the Great Barrier Reef. Dolphin, clownfish, red bass and over 1,500 other fish species live on the reef. In addition to this, six species of sea turtles and saltwater crocodiles also live among the reef. To learn more about the wildlife in the Great Barrier Reef, watch the video below.