Coral reefs can be found in tropical destinations around the world, mostly in areas around the equator where the water is warmer.
Where are coral reefs typically located and why?
Corals are found all over the world's oceans, from the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska to the warm tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea. The biggest coral reefs are found in the clear, shallow waters of the tropics and subtropics.
Where are coral reefs located and why?
Coral reefs are found in shallow water where sea surface temperatures range from 68° F to 97° F. More than 90 percent of the world's coral reefs occur in the Indo-West Pacific biogeographic region. Reef systems also can be found in the West Atlantic, East Atlantic, and East Pacific oceans between 30° N and 30° S.
Why are coral reefs only found in certain places?
Corals are found across the world's ocean, in both shallow and deep water, but reef-building corals are only found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters. This is because the algae found in their tissues need light for photosynthesis and they prefer water temperatures between 70-85°F (22-29°C).