Belize barrier and atoll reefs

Abstract

The Belize reef system includes fringing, barrier, and atolls reefs as well as lagoonal patch reefs and lagoon atolls (faroes). The reefs, which are predominantly composed of corals (Acropora sp., Montastraea sp.) exhibit clear zonations. The Belize shelf is a classic example of a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic system, like many other large barrier reefs. Eleven modern sediment facies may be distinguished. The reef system of Belize is located on a passive continental margin with tilted fault blocks forming the basement. Both differential subsidence and variation in karst dissolution of underlying Pleistocene limestone determined patterns of late Quaternary reef accretion. Postglacial reef growth was extensive with thicknesses of >20 m and average accretion rates of 3 m/kyr.