Underwater rock is a reef (the Dutch word rif is a rib), which refers to the elevation of the seabed in shallow water conditions. They are underwater or surface. The first ones occur if the rocky shore is destroyed, or due to the vital activity of a colony of coral microorganisms.
In geography and oceanography, the term "reef" refers to a narrow, often rocky shoal that poses a danger to navigation. When the sea level changes (low tides, high tides), it is indicated by snowstorms.
Origin
Underwater rocks (reefs) are formed as a result of so-called abiotic processes, when sand deposits, erosion processes of mountain structures, volcanic activity, etc.
However, the most famous underwater rocks are coral reefs in tropical latitudes. They arise as a result of the growth of colonies of microorganisms (reef-building), of which the main ones are coral polyps.
However, polyps, mostly found in tropical seas, are not the only structures thatcan erect underwater reef rocks. In the marine environment, similar formations are created by many other invertebrate organisms.
Due to the fact that the main builders of underwater rocks are coral algae and organisms, the term "reef" has also been used in geology. There, this word refers to paleontological rocks that were formed by organisms with calcareous skeletons.
So, in different time periods of the Earth's history, the main reef-builders were various organisms. But they all used common strategies for collective defense against enemies and obtaining food. If environmental conditions began to change, so did the distribution of reefs and the speed of their construction.
Underwater rock in one word
Contemporaries know the ratio "underwater rock - reef" due to the use of this pair in crosswords and crossword puzzles. Usually, as questions to be answered - "reef", the following are given:
- invisible rock;
- unforeseen sea obstacle;
- a rock lurking under the surface of the sea that poses a danger to navigation, etc.
