Coral reefs can classified on the basis of their growth pattern.
♦ Fringing reefs are attached to the land and form a coral platform which extends into the ocean.
♦ Barrier reef is not attached to the land but it rises from the ocean and is separated from the land by a section of water called lagoon.
♦ Atoll is the most unique type of coral reef. It is a circular reef with lagoon at the centre.
Patch reefs are formed in shallow water and are visible at the time of low tide.
