As we all know, the Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the northeast coast of Australia. It contains the world’s most extensive collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish, and 4,000 types of mollusk. It also holds great scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the giant green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.
Let us find out what is the depth of the Great Barrier Reef.
How deep is the great barrier reef?
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority manages this area as a marine park, protecting it from fishing and other activities that might damage it. The Great Barrier Reef has an average depth of 35 meters in its coastal waters, while on outer reefs, continental slopes extend down to depths of more than 2000 meters.
- Inshore Waters Depth – 35 metres.
- Outer Reef Continental Slopes Depth- More than 2000 meters.
Depth of Great Barrier Reef in Feet
- Inshore Waters Depth – 115 feet.
- Outer Reef Continental Slopes Depth- More than 6560 feet.
Great Barrier Reef Measurements
- The Marine Park stretches approximately 2300 km along the coast of Queensland in north-eastern Australia.
- The width of the reef is between 60 and 250 kilometres.
- The reef has an average depth of 35 meters in its inshore waters. Inshore waters are waters of the shallower part of the continental shelf.
- In contrast, continental slopes extend to depths of more than 2000 meters on outer reefs. The outer reef are smaller reef patches close to Cairns that are numerous and offer a wide selection of diving with minimal travel. Beyond the Outer Reef, the Continental slope drops off, and you have the Coral Sea.
Outer Fringing Reef
The “outer reef” grows from the ocean floor instead of a land base. The visibility is generally a little better than the fringing reefs since they don’t have as much runoff from the islands, with average visibility reaching 15 meters. They have many of the same fish, with some larger species, and many more hard corals than soft ones.
What is the deepest part of the Great Barrier Reef?
In September 2020, scientists explored and viewed the deepest regions of the Great Barrier Reef via remote robotic exploration. They discovered five undescribed species consisting of black corals and sponges and recorded Australia’s first observation of a scarce colourful fish. The research vessel Falkor held its ground while the robot examined 1,820 meters of deep-sea bathymetry, wildlife, and ecosystems. A mapping of the seafloor was also conducted, and it covered 38,395 square kilometres
How deep is the Blue Hole in the Great Barrier Reef?
The blue hole is 407 feet deep. It lies near the centre of Lighthouse Reef, a tiny atoll 70 km (43 mi) from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular, 318 m (1,043 ft) across and 124 m (407 ft) deep.
What is the highest temperature recorded in the Great Barrier Reef?
Seawater temperatures range from 23 degrees Celsius in July to 29 degrees Celsius in February.
In 2016, sea surface temperatures on the Great Barrier Reef were the hottest ever recorded (1.03 degrees Celsius above the 1961–1990 average); a marine heatwave led to the most extensive recorded mass bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.
Can you see the Great Barrier Reef without diving?
It is possible to enjoy a trip to the Great Barrier Reef without diving into the great depths. You’ll find multiple land trips arranged by the local tour facilities that don’t include snorkelling or swimming.
Five interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef
- It is the world’s most extensive reef system.
- Corals found there are alive.
- It is a bleached reef but not a dead reef.
- Prehistoric creatures are still found here.
- Corals here spawn only once a year.
The Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly magnificent, so it depends on how we preserve this nature’s gift so that the next generation can see and praise its beauty too. Check why the Great Barrier Reef is so essential.