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Geomorphology and Late Quaternary development of Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs

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Abstract

Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs are two mid-latitude, annular reefs within the Lord Howe linear chain of volcanic islands and seamounts in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Drilling, vibrocoring, seismic profiling, and dating indicate that each has a rim of Holocene reef framework, enclosing a lagoon partly filled by prograding sand sheets composed of fragments of coral, coralline algae, foraminifers, and other skeletal debris. The reefs lie close to the latitudinal limits for coral growth and the reef framework is very porous, dominated by branching rather than massive corals. Coralline algae are the principal binding agent in the upper reef framework. Holocene reef growth began on a foundation of Pleistocene reefal limestone encountered at a depth of 8 m in cores on the windward side of Middleton Reef. Holocene corals became established on this foundation around 6,700 radiocarbon yr B.P., implying little if any lag after inundation of the platform by the post-glacial sea-level rise. Windward reef growth tracked sea-level rise (‘keep-up’ mode), and a prominent reef crest was established on both reefs by 5,000 yr B.P. Leeward margins appear to have been characterized by ‘catch-up’ growth. Development of cays is limited, and has been restricted by the paucity of coarse coralline debris or cemented conglomerate on which islands could become established. The morphology and development of Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs has been similar to that of tropical atolls, although the rate of subsidence appears to have been relatively slow reflecting their position on the margin of the foundered continental crust of the Lord Howe Rise.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Australian Research Council (grant to CDW and BGJ), and built upon earlier studies undertaken by CVGP. Research was conducted under a permit from Environment Australia who provided access to aerial photographs, including oblique photographs in Figs. 4 and 5. The authors would like to thank the captain and crew of RV Franklin for their assistance during cruise 12/98 in the Tasman Sea. Research on both reefs in 2001 was possible under charter of Advance II and the skill and assistance of Owen, Owen and Linda Griffiths are greatly appreciated. Bathymetric data including LADS digital data was provided under license from the Hydrographic Office of the Royal Australian Navy. Vicki Harriott (James Cook University), David Mitchell (University of Sydney), Stewart Fallon, John Marshall, and Eugene Wallensky (Australian National University), Mark Dickson and John de Carli (University of Wollongong), and Dean Hiscox (Lord Howe Island Board) provided valuable assistance in the field. We thank Colin Braithwaite and Tom Spencer for constructive comments in review. The figures were drawn by Richard Miller.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geosciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Wollongong, Australia

    C. D. Woodroffe & B. G. Jones

  2. School of Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    D. M. Kennedy

  3. School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Sydney, Australia

    C. V. G. Phipps

Authors
  1. C. D. Woodroffe
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  2. D. M. Kennedy
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  3. B. G. Jones
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  4. C. V. G. Phipps
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Correspondence to C. D. Woodroffe.

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Woodroffe, C.D., Kennedy, D.M., Jones, B.G. et al. Geomorphology and Late Quaternary development of Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs. Coral Reefs 23, 249–262 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-004-0374-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-004-0374-1

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