Australia’s Northern Reefs Number Over 3,600

Why this is here: The team created a composite image from 200 satellite images of each area, allowing constant reef structures to become visible despite turbid water.

Scientists at the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the University of Queensland mapped over 3,600 reefs along northern Australia’s coastline. Eric Lawrey initiated the project after noticing potential reef formations in satellite imagery. The team layered roughly 200 images of each area to filter out water movement and reveal constant reef structures.

The resulting map details more than 1,000 previously uncharted coral reefs, comparable in number to the Great Barrier Reef, though generally smaller. Existing marine charts identify reefs but do not differentiate between coral and rocky formations. This new work provides a clearer view of reef locations for planners and local Traditional Owners.

Jody Webster, a geoscientist at the University of Sydney, notes field studies are necessary to understand reef ecology and biodiversity. The methodology is now being applied to the Great Barrier Reef, but further investment will be needed for comprehensive ecological assessment.