Green Island coral reef fractures, possibly due to earthquake, say divers

Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) A well-known coral reef at a popular diving site in Green Island has been found fractured, with local divers saying Friday it may have been caused by an earthquake that struck the area earlier this week.

Located in the Chaikou diving area, Heimao Reef (黑毛礁) was found broken apart on Thursday after local diving instructors returned to the sea following several days of suspended water activities around Green Island due to strong winds and waves.

Chen Yi-hsi (陳宜禧), a diving instructor, said there were no signs of the reef having been struck by other rocks at the site, leading him to believe the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of southeastern Taiwan on Tuesday may have caused it to fracture.

The quake's intensity on Green Island measured 4 on Taiwan's 7-tier intensity scale.

As for the exposed surfaces where the reef fractured, he said algae will eventually grow there and attract new coral polyps to attach and grow, with the reef's recovery ultimately depending on the forces of nature over time.

Chen said Heimao Reef lies at a depth of 11 to 12 meters and attracts both first-time and regular divers.

He described the reef as a beautiful and distinctive formation, with coral extending horizontally without support underneath, making it vulnerable to breaking during an earthquake.

A local resident, also surnamed Chen (陳), said Heimao is located in the Chaikou conservation area and is characterized by layers of reef formed by large colonies of massive corals.

The reef was named for the large groups of blackfish (Girella punctata) and sea turtles that gather around the extensive coral colonies, making it a must-visit site for scuba divers, he said.