Spur and groove formation: Difference between revisions
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| ⚫ | '''Spur and groove formations''' are a [[geomorphic]] feature of many [[coral reef]]s. They are ridges of reef formed by [[coral]] "spurs" separated by channels "grooves" which often have sediment or rubble bed. Spur and groove formations vary in their size and distribution world-wide but are a common feature on many forereefs of [[ |
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[[File:GOPR0292 DK edit.jpg|thumb|Groove formation on coral reef at Palmyra Atoll in the Central Pacific]] |
[[File:GOPR0292 DK edit.jpg|thumb|Groove formation on coral reef at Palmyra Atoll in the Central Pacific]] |
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[[File:GOPR0294 DK edit.jpg|thumb|Spur formation on coral reef at Palmyra Atoll in the Central Pacific]] |
[[File:GOPR0294 DK edit.jpg|thumb|Spur formation on coral reef at Palmyra Atoll in the Central Pacific]] |
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| ⚫ | The alongshore shape of spur and groove formations varies from smoothly varying rounded spurs, to flat spurs with shallow rectangular grooves, or deeply cut rectangular or overhanging channels sometimes called buttresses. Spur and groove formations have typical scales of: spur height 0.5 to 10 m, alongshore wavelength 5 to 150 m, width of groove 1 to 100 m, and found in depths from 0 to 30 m. The mechanism for maintaining preferential coral growth on the spur is thought to be caused by higher wave stress on the spur which causes sediment to be shed towards the groove and downslope and preferential [[coral]] growth on the spur<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rogers|first1=Justin|title=Field observations of wave‐driven circulation over spur and groove formations on a coral reef|journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans|date=2015}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | '''Spur and groove formations''' are a [[geomorphic]] feature of many [[coral reef]]s. They are ridges of reef formed by [[coral]] "spurs" separated by channels "grooves" which often have sediment or rubble bed. Spur and groove formations vary in their size and distribution world-wide but are a common feature on many forereefs of [[fringing reef]]s, [[barrier reefs]], and [[atolls]] which are exposed to moderate wave energy.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Storlazzi|first1=Curt|title=Quantitative morphology of a fringing reef tract from high-resolution laser bathymetry: Southern Molokai, Hawaii|journal=Geol. Soc. Am. Bull|date=2003|url=http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org/content/115/11/1344.short |volume=115 |issue=11 |pages=1344–1355 |doi=10.1130/B25200.1}}</ref> Spur and groove formations are influenced by the incoming [[surface wave]]s, and the waves induce a circulation pattern of counter rotating circulation cells.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rogers|first1=Justin|title=Hydrodynamics of spur and groove formations on a coral reef |journal=J Geophys Res|url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgrc.20225/full |date=2013 |volume=118 |issue=6 |pages=3059–3073}} |doi=10.1002/jgrc.20225}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The alongshore shape of spur and groove formations varies from smoothly varying rounded spurs, to flat spurs with shallow rectangular grooves, or deeply cut rectangular or overhanging channels sometimes called buttresses. Spur and groove formations have typical scales of: spur height 0.5 to 10 m, alongshore wavelength 5 to 150 m, width of groove 1 to 100 m, and found in depths from 0 to 30 m. The mechanism for maintaining preferential coral growth on the spur is thought to be caused by higher wave stress on the spur which causes sediment to be shed towards the groove and downslope and preferential [[coral]] growth on the spur.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rogers|first1=Justin|title=Field observations of wave‐driven circulation over spur and groove formations on a coral reef|url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014JC010464/full |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans|date=2015|volume=118 |issue=6 |pages=3059–3073 |doi=10.1002/2014JC010464}}</ref> Thus, it is believed that spur and grooves are essentially constructional in formation, while a less important mechanism may occur from sediment scour in the grooves. |
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*[[Coastal morphodynamics]] |
*[[Coastal morphodynamics]] |
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*[[Coral reef]] |
*[[Coral reef]] |
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Revision as of 22:33, 13 April 2017
Spur and groove formations are a geomorphic feature of many coral reefs. They are ridges of reef formed by coral "spurs" separated by channels "grooves" which often have sediment or rubble bed. Spur and groove formations vary in their size and distribution world-wide but are a common feature on many forereefs of fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls which are exposed to moderate wave energy.[1] Spur and groove formations are influenced by the incoming surface waves, and the waves induce a circulation pattern of counter rotating circulation cells.[2]
The alongshore shape of spur and groove formations varies from smoothly varying rounded spurs, to flat spurs with shallow rectangular grooves, or deeply cut rectangular or overhanging channels sometimes called buttresses. Spur and groove formations have typical scales of: spur height 0.5 to 10 m, alongshore wavelength 5 to 150 m, width of groove 1 to 100 m, and found in depths from 0 to 30 m. The mechanism for maintaining preferential coral growth on the spur is thought to be caused by higher wave stress on the spur which causes sediment to be shed towards the groove and downslope and preferential coral growth on the spur.[3] Thus, it is believed that spur and grooves are essentially constructional in formation, while a less important mechanism may occur from sediment scour in the grooves.
See also
References
- ^ Storlazzi, Curt (2003). "Quantitative morphology of a fringing reef tract from high-resolution laser bathymetry: Southern Molokai, Hawaii". Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 115 (11): 1344–1355. doi:10.1130/B25200.1.
- ^ Rogers, Justin (2013). "Hydrodynamics of spur and groove formations on a coral reef". J Geophys Res. 118 (6): 3059–3073. |doi=10.1002/jgrc.20225}}
- ^ Rogers, Justin (2015). "Field observations of wave‐driven circulation over spur and groove formations on a coral reef". Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. 118 (6): 3059–3073. doi:10.1002/2014JC010464.
