do you know what a coral reef white hole is?

[archman]

I'm writing up some lesson plans for my coral reef class, and I have come across what (to me) are quite obscure terms. I would like to know you folks' general knowledge regarding white holes. What you consider one, different types, whether or no you've ever heard reference to the term before, etc...

Blue, green, ocean holes I've heard of, but this white hole thing caught me by surprise.

From the Glossary of Coral Reef Terminology.

White hole - an area along the spur and groove system where the sand channel widens considerably

 

[miketsp]

I'd never heard the term but it makes sense. In many years of snorkelling on the shallow reefs in the northeast of Brazil I've seen many places where the narrow grooves open out and there is a circular area with light coloured sand. I assume the term would also be applicable to an isolated hole in the reef with a sandy bottom.

 

[zboss]

I'm writing up some lesson plans for my coral reef class, and I have come across what (to me) are quite obscure terms. I would like to know you folks' general knowledge regarding white holes. What you consider one, different types, whether or no you've ever heard reference to the term before, etc...

Blue, green, ocean holes I've heard of, but this white hole thing caught me by surprise.

From the Glossary of Coral Reef Terminology.

That sounds like an in interesting book... where can I find a copy?

 

[miketsp]

That sounds like an in interesting book... where can I find a copy?

Glossary:
http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/coris_glossary/index.aspx?letter=w

On this page there is a link to the PDF of 12.7MB.

 

[dlndavid]

Well, at least I'm with the majority on this one. Next time I'm diving, I'll keep an eye out for white hose.

 

[zboss]

Yes, we see a lot of those formations in the BVI. There is an site north of Jost Van Dyke called "The Playground" that has row after row of spur-and-groove formations, when these get down to around 40 feet they will often split apart a little to form a pit of sand, before coming back together and then finally "spilling" out onto a sandy bottom at around 60-70 feet.

This occurs throughout the virgin islands. It's usually a good place to find large tiger tails and puffers, for some reason.

 

[Spratman]

Well, I imagine white hoses are easier to find....

Anyway, if Archman doesn't know the answer, what hope is there for the rest of us...

Well, at least I'm with the majority on this one. Next time I'm diving, I'll keep an eye out for white hose.

 

[dlndavid]

Yes, we see a lot of those formations in the BVI. There is an site north of Jost Van Dyke called "The Playground" that has row after row of spur-and-groove formations, when these get down to around 40 feet they will often split apart a little to form a pit of sand, before coming back together and then finally "spilling" out onto a sandy bottom at around 60-70 feet.

This occurs throughout the virgin islands. It's usually a good place to find large tiger tails and puffers, for some reason.

So true, I was snorkeling at Punta Nizuc in Cancun, a shallow part of the reef 10-30 ft or so, came out of a canyon into a big white sand hole, and there was the biggest Grouper I had ever seen resting on the bottom . Pretty cool.

 

[Mako Mark]

yep, there is a classic one in Utila called moon hole.

It is basically a doline (enclosed depression in a Karst environment) that is formed when the reef is above current sea level, then when sea level rises, it fills with coral sand.

great for getting rotomil students to kneel on the bottom and practice skills on.

(Mark sneaks off t get in the pool befor the flames start...)

 

[dlndavid]

yep, there is a classic one in Utila called moon hole.

It is basically a doline (enclosed depression in a Karst environment) that is formed when the reef is above current sea level, then when sea level rises, it fills with coral sand.

great for getting rotomil students to kneel on the bottom and practice skills on.

(Mark sneaks off to get in the pool before the flames start...)

Bauk... Bauk Bauk Bauk Bauk, chicken.