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National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Home Education Corals How Do Stony Corals Grow?

Massive Corals

Branching Coral | Pillar Coral | Table Coral | Elkhorn Coral | Foliase Coral | Encrusting Coral | Massive Coral | Mushroom Coral

massive corals — Massive corals are characteristically ball- or boulder-shaped and relatively slow-growing. Because they have very stable profiles, massive corals are seldom damaged by strong wave action unless they are dislodged from their holdfasts.

Welcome What are corals? What is Zooxanthellae? How do corals grow? How do coral reefs form? Where are corals found? How do corals reproduce? Why are coral reefs important? What are the major threats to corals? - Climate change - Pollution - Diseases - Fishing impacts What are the other threats to corals? Protecting corals - Laws and partnerships Protecting corals - Protected places Restoring corals

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