"The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs"

"The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs" is a scientific paper by Charles Darwin that explains how coral reefs form and where they are found. It describes three main types: fringing reefs near land, barrier reefs separated from land by water, and atolls, ring-shaped reefs around submerged islands. Darwin proposed that reefs develop as volcanic islands sink slowly over time, with corals building up layers to keep pace with rising sea levels. The paper highlights how currents, water conditions, and ocean depth influence reef growth, offering a comprehensive understanding of reef formation and their geographic distribution across tropical oceans.