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USGS Pacific Coral Reefs Website

Photo of coral reef.  

Kapuāiwa coconut grove, Molokaʻi

Silent video showing Coconut Grove area of Moloka'i. Outer fore reef corals, at 25-40 feet or 7-12 meters depth, offshore from the Kapuaiwa coconut grove near Kaunakakai, are representative of the generally very healthy reefs of the south coast of Molokaʻi. Species diversity is relatively high. The water is clear, and sediment that is present in the system is largely derived from the natural breakdown of the reef. During scuba dives, scientists collect samples from coral-encrusted pavements and spur-and-groove channels to detect the amount of sediment that comes from land sources. This footage was taken approximately one mile west of the Kaunakakai Wharf and shows us that reef health is locally variable.

Outer fore reef corals, at 25-40 feet depth (7-12 m), offshore from the Kapuāiwa coconut grove (near Kaunakakai), are representative of the generally very healthy reefs of the south coast of Molokaʻi. Species diversity is relatively high. The water is clear, and sediment that is present in the system is largely derived from the natural breakdown of the reef. During scuba dives, scientists collect samples from coral-encrusted pavements and spur-and-groove channels to detect the amount of sediment that comes from land sources. This footage was taken approximately one mile west of the Kaunakakai Wharf and shows us that reef health is locally variable.

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Page Last Modified: 26 June 2012 (lzt)