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Why The Great Barrier Reef Is Even More Important Than We Ever Thought As newest research shows, the world-famous Great Barrier Reef in Australia is more then just a formation held together by calcium carbonate structures. The world-famous Australian reef is furthermore providing an effective barrier against landslide-induced tsunamis. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef stretching over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres. A large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, unfortunately the other part is currently endangered by oil companies, who suspect a large amount of oil being hidden under the Great Barrier Reef’s surface. An international team of researchers published this week an article in Marine Geology about a landslide and tsunami that happened around 20,000-14,000 years ago at the coast of Maryland. At that time, it caused a 2-3m wave that would later hit the coast of Australia. The wave could have killed thousands of Aborigines. But, as the research team states: "However, if one did occur, our findings suggest that the Great Barrier Reef is doing us a great service because of its ability to absorb some of that potential wave energy." Consequently, destroying the Great Barrier Reef would have far-reaching consequences for Australia’s population today, including less protection in case of landslides and approaching tsunamis.

Great Barrier Reef LOST!

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Page 1: Great Barrier Reef LOST!

Why The Great Barrier Reef Is Even More

Important Than We Ever Thought

As newest research shows, the world-famous Great Barrier Reef in Australia is

more then just a formation held together by calcium carbonate structures.

The world-famous Australian reef is furthermore providing an effective barrier

against landslide-induced tsunamis.

The Great Barrier Reef

is the world's largest

coral reef stretching

over an area of

approximately

344,400 square

kilometres. A large

part of the reef is

protected by the

Great Barrier Reef

Marine Park, unfortunately the other part is currently endangered by oil

companies, who suspect a large amount of oil being hidden under the Great

Barrier Reef’s surface.

An international team of researchers published this week an article in Marine

Geology about a landslide and tsunami that happened around 20,000-14,000

years ago at the coast of Maryland. At that time, it caused a 2-3m wave that

would later hit the coast of Australia. The wave could have killed thousands of

Aborigines. But, as the research team states: "However, if one did occur, our

findings suggest that the Great Barrier Reef is doing us a great service because

of its ability to absorb some of that potential wave energy."

Consequently, destroying the Great Barrier Reef would have far-reaching

consequences for Australia’s population today, including less protection in case

of landslides and approaching tsunamis.