reef front An irregularly sloping ramp that extends from the surf zone to a depth of approximately 100 m on the windward, open-sea side of a reef. Abundant skeletal growth grades downwards into the sediment of the fore-reef zone. The robust, branching form of the coral Acropora palmata, common in present-day reefs, typifies this reef area.

reef front An irregularly sloping ramp extending from the surf zone to a depth of approximately 100 m on the windward, open-sea side of a reef. Abundant skeletal growth grades downward into sediment of the fore-reef zone. The robust, branching form of the coral Acropora palmata, common in present-day reefs, typifies this reef area.