Age Structure of the Fantome Island Fringing Reef

Abstract

Radiocarbon age dating of three high recovery cores from the leeward fringing reef of Fantome Island (Palm Isles, Central Great Barrier Reef), indicate the reef began forming about 6,000 years BP,. The reef has formed by progradation of a hard bottom, reef top unit over soft reef slope deposits. Progradation has averaged lm/lO years over the past 5,000 years.

Management of such fringing reefs will need to focus on preserving the soft reef slope deposits (to prevent erosion and undercutting) as well as maintaining a favourable environment for coral growth.