Geologic Past
The site that is now known as the Spanish Anchor has been evolving
biologically, chemically, and physically throughout it's 100,000
year history. The following illustrations are representative of it's
dynamic processes.
100,000 Years Ago
What is known today as the Florida Keys was once submerged about 25 feet
below sea level. Hard skeletons of the reefs ancient inhabitants, such as
corals, invertebrates, and green and red algae, make up the limestone
bed of the present Florida Keys.
7,000 Years Ago
At this time the ancient reefs were exposed when the sea level dropped
over 60 feet below its previous level. With the beginning of the
interglacial period, sea levels began to rise once again.
Today
The present depth at which the sea level has currently stablized leaves
only the highest peaks of the ancient reefs exposed. These mounds
protruding from the sea make up the chain of islands known as the
Florida Keys.
Today's living reefs, therefore, represent only a thin veneer of
relatively new coral habitats developing on the cemented, encrusted
surface of older and more extensive fossil reef habitats.
Last updated: 11 March 1998
URL: http://ezinfo.ucs.indiana.edu/~cbeeker/saplan.html
Comments: scuba@indiana.edu
Copyright 1998,
The Trustees of Indiana University