Guesstimate as to age of this coral?

[Ursula Keuper-Bennett]

Hi CoralHedz!

I have three photos of the same coral head.  I really need a good estimate 
as to the age of this particular Pocillopora eydouxi.

Details.  It grew in about 25 feet on the Hawaiian island of 
Maui.  Temperature loggers show a temperature range of about 27 C in August 
and about 24 during February through April for this area.

Here is a portion of the coral in 1988.

<http://www.turtles.org/i2401042.jpg>

In 1989

<http://www.turtles.org/head89.jpg>

and 1991.

<http://www.turtles.org/head91.jpg>

About how many years would this head have been growing to reach that size?


Many thanks,
Ursula
TURTLE TRAX
http://www.turtles.org

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