Green island: 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.
According to Focus Taiwan, the Heimao Reef, located in the Chaikou diving area, was found broken apart on Thursday. This discovery was made 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, a diving instructor, noted there were no signs of the reef having been struck by other rocks at the site. This observation led him to believe that the magnitude 5.8 earthquake, which struck off the coast of southeastern Taiwan on Tuesday, may have caused the reef to fracture. The earthquake's intensity on Green Island was measured at 4 on Taiwan's 7-tier intensity scale.
Regarding the exposed surfaces where the reef fractured, Chen mentioned that algae will eventually grow there, potentially attracting new coral polyps to attach and grow. The reef's recovery will ultimately depend on the forces of nature over time. He also explained that Heimao Reef lies at a depth of 11 to 12 meters, attracting both first-time and regular divers. He described the reef as having a beautiful and distinctive formation, with coral extending horizontally without support underneath, making it particularly vulnerable to breaking during an earthquake.
A local resident, also surnamed Chen, added that 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.