![]() | What do coral reefs look like? |
Inch by inch corals build reefs along the fringes of the volcanic islands and atolls in the clear, relatively shallow waters surrounding the Pacific islands. Though they may have similar organisms, no two coral reefs look the same. Each is influenced by waves, currents, water quality, and light. These factors shape how the reefs form and what types of animals live there. They also influence how a reef will respond to climate change. In order to understand the features of a coral reef and how it might respond to climate change, scientists at the National Park Service monitor coral reefs through the Inventory and Monitoring Program.
Explore how coral reefs vary by investigating national parks in the islands of American Samoa, Guam, and Hawaii.
![Antler coral, cauliflower coral, and table coral are just a few of the coral types found in the National Park of American Samoa's amazing coral reefs. Coral reef in American Samoa](/images/samoa_coral.jpg)
![The coral reefs of War in the Pacific National Historical Park are habitat for more species of fish and corals than the other parks in the Pacific Island Network. Coral reef in Guam](/images/wapa_coral.jpg)
![Ancient Hawaiians built settlements near Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park and used coral reef resources for food and tools. Coral reef in KAHO](/images/kaho_coral2.jpg)
![Kalaupapa National Historical Park has coral reefs growing on underwater boulders which support a large fish diversity. coral reef of Kalaupapa](/images/kala_boulders.jpg)