[Coral-List] FW: Darwin was WRONG about reef formation

Tue Oct 20 12:19:17 UTC 2020

Hi All,

An appreciation of the interaction between sea level fluctuations and reef growth against a setting of general subsidence has a long history.  We explored this relationship with a simulation model quite a few years ago, and the paper reviews the forces and rates involved.  If you are interested you can download it from here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gustav_Paulay/publication/227157735_A_simulation_model_of_island_reef_morphology_the_effects_of_sea_level_fluctuations_growth_subsidence_and_erosion/links/55cb7a1a08aeb975674c7bcc/A-simulation-model-of-island-reef-morphology-the-effects-of-sea-level-fluctuations-growth-subsidence-and-erosion.pdf

Cheers - Gustav

-----Original Message-----
From: Coral-List <coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> On Behalf Of Bill Allison via Coral-List
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2020 6:19 AM
To: Douglas Fenner <douglasfennertassi at gmail.com>
Cc: coral list <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Darwin was WRONG about reef formation

[External Email]

I have read the paper. It does not claim that Darwin's coral reef theory was "fatally flawed" although it does little to discourage that interpretation.  It seems to be focused on coral reefs and atolls sprouting atop carbonate banks and does not seem to address evidence such as almost atolls on subsiding volcanoes (e.g., Bora Bora) and does not consider the origins of the carbonate banks atop volcanic basements. It seems like the press release writers have as is commonly the case, indulged in inaccurate hyperbole to attract eyeballs.
Cheers,
Bill

On Sat, Oct 17, 2020 at 8:28 AM Douglas Fenner via Coral-List < coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:

> or so says a new article:
>
> Popular piece:
>
> Study: Darwin's theory about coral reef atolls is fatally flawed
>
>
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__news.rice.edu_2020
> _10_12_study-2Ddarwins-2Dtheory-2Dabout-2Dcoral-2Dreef-2Datolls-2Dis-2
> Dfatally-2Dflawed-2D2_&d=DwIGaQ&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=MmnaL4wtpYW
> -_FckEesmL9YgIMZGATPIpgzdLj3lItQ&m=YMGWmZ1POJ3orvRvRUknpbZ16YgvV1bM5xl
> fi6jYiew&s=5SHs4eszRBmYBrqzqAYBryI2WbwT65bF7XquWeYOEVM&e=
>
> Original review:
>
> The origin of Modern Atolls: Challenging Darwin's Deeply Ingrained
> Theory
>
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.annualreviews
> .org_doi_10.1146_annurev-2Dmarine-2D122414-2D034137&d=DwIGaQ&c=sJ6xIWY
> x-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=MmnaL4wtpYW-_FckEesmL9YgIMZGATPIpgzdLj3lItQ&m=YMGWmZ
> 1POJ3orvRvRUknpbZ16YgvV1bM5xlfi6jYiew&s=OnEh_bUXlhVYm5tn9KN2dwLIpBW4XQ
> L0WdvOcAR5hqk&e=
>
> My thoughts, based on reading the popular article and the abstract for
> the
> review:
>
> Yes, if you define an "atoll" as a ring of coral at the surface, and
> you carefully ignore that it is on top of an accumulation of up to a
> mile of coral reef carbonate, which is in turn on top of a two mile
> tall volcano which all the evidence shows has indeed subsided with the
> ocean floor plate as it moves across the ocean, then yes, sea level
> fluctuations with the glaciation cycle are widely acknowledged to
> affect the coral reef structure.  It appears that maybe the new thing
> in this review is that the present ring is relatively young and built
> on top of the raised ring left from low sea level stands when
> rainwater was dissolving the carbonate in the center of the ring.
> Actually, I don't think even that is new, though their being a flat
> topped bank in between time may be new.  This is a further
> embellishment on top of the Darwin theory, NOT a disproof of his
> theory, which is heavily documented.  The argument back then was
> whether there was a volcano under the carbonate, which drilling proved was correct and is no longer in doubt.
>      Perhaps by reading the entire review it will be clear that the
> review isn't saying that Darwin was wrong about subsidence and a
> volcano being under the carbonate, or that there was a sequence from
> fringing to barrier, to atoll, but even the title of the review
> implies it is.  But of course you attract a lot more attention saying that "Darwin was wrong."
>       What do geologists think?
> Cheers, Doug
>
>
> --
> Douglas Fenner
> Lynker Technologies, LLC, Contractor
> NOAA Fisheries Service
> Pacific Islands Regional Office
> Honolulu
> and:
> Coral Reef Consulting
> PO Box 7390
> Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799  USA
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