Paper 1.2: Coastal Environments – IGCSE Geography

Fringing reefs: Corals growing directly attached to or closely bordering a coastline with a shallow, narrow lagoon.

Barrier reefs: Coral reefs separated from the mainland coast by a wide, deep lagoon or open water channel (e.g. Great Barrier Reef).

Atolls: Circular or ring-shaped coral reefs enclosing a central lagoon, formed around a completely submerged volcanic island.