Reef a great barrier against underwater landslides and tsunamis

By Peter Spinks
Updated December 8 2015 - 10:13am, first published November 25 2015 - 6:05pm
Queensland's Great Barrier Reef, guarding against possible tsunamis. Photo: Fairfax Media
Queensland's Great Barrier Reef, guarding against possible tsunamis. Photo: Fairfax Media
The research team study the first underwater images from their mission off Ribbon Reef . Photo: Robin Beaman
The research team study the first underwater images from their mission off Ribbon Reef . Photo: Robin Beaman
Computer simulations showing how tsunamis, caused by submarine landslides, would have impacted the reef in the past. Photo: Jody Webster, Sydney University
Computer simulations showing how tsunamis, caused by submarine landslides, would have impacted the reef in the past. Photo: Jody Webster, Sydney University
Landslide and tsunami simulations on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Jody Webster, Sydney University
Landslide and tsunami simulations on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Jody Webster, Sydney University

Our famous Great Barrier Reef is a barrier in every sense of the word. As well as providing a haven for coastal marine life, the growing coral reef, now 2300 kilometres long, has increasingly served to protect coastal areas from tsunamis caused by underwater landslides.

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