a large coral-reef formation that closely borders the shoreline

A reef that forms against or near an island or continental coast and grows seaward, sloping sharply toward the sea floor. Fringing reefs usually range from 0.5 to 1.0 or more kilometers in width.

a type of coral reef that extends outward from the shore of an island or mainland, with no body of water separating land and reef

a reef that is attached to the shore of an island or continent with no open water lagoon between the reef and the shore

coral reef closely associated with the land; it may be joined directly to the beach or separated from the beach by a shallow, narrow lagoon.

A line of reef that is located close to land.

One of three main geomorphological types of coral reefs, the other two being barrier reefs and atolls. These are formed close to shore on rocky coastlines by the growth of corals and associated hydrozoans, alcyonarians and calcareous algae. Fragments of limestone derived from such bioherms are welded together by the encrusting calcareous algae as well as by the deposition of interstitial calcium carbonate cement, the latter brought about by geochemical reactions and possibly bacterial action. The zone of living corals is separated from the shore by a shallow reef flat where reduced circulation, periods of tidal emersion, and the accumulation of sediments inhibit coral growth. See Barnes and Hughes (1988).

a coral reef formed close to the shoreline. [AHDOS