Page 16 - AHATA

a8 local
Thursday 15 May 2025
Aruba’s Bocas: home to the rarest fossil reefs on the planet!

history, history that dates back to a time that most of us
(Oranjestad)—If you’ve Rovere from the Ca' Fosc- land surveillance, and 3D cannot even imagine. As the scientists themselves have
been to the northern coast ari University of Venice and models of the reefs, they pointed out, these fossilized reefs on the windward side
of Aruba already, you’ve Prof. dr. Gianfranco Scic- were able to narrow down are truly an incredible and rare remnant of geological
probably noticed how the chitano, from the University when these formations history, as they provide a clear view of how these reefs
ground differs entirely from of Bari Aldo Moro, present- started to take place. They have formed.
the sandy beaches on the ed their research on these were also able to track the
southern part of the island. fossilized coral reefs at the fluctuation of sea levels This research is also important for the future of coral reefs
These hard surfaces, with University of Aruba. Their during the past hundred or on the island. By studying rising sea levels and climate im-
sharp bumps and holes focus for their research in- even thousands of years, pact on these coral reefs, we are able to take concrete
are actually fossilized coral cluded studying the health and the effects that this action in protecting and preserving our coral reefs. So,
reefs, of which its growth and formation patterns of fluctuation has had on the if you are ever visiting one of the bocas or driving along
and changes can be these coral reefs, and to coral reefs of the windward the northern part of the island, please be conscious to
traced back to the last gla- investigate how these reefs side of Aruba. help protect our natural historical remnant. Oh, and wear
cial period. have responded and can (coral-friendly) sunscreen!q
respond to fluctuating sea These findings can certain-
On May 30 2023, geosci- levels or extreme weather, ly put things into perspec-
entists, Dr. Patrick Boyden like hurricanes and tsuna- tive. The ground on which Aruba to me
from the Marum research mis. we have walked many
faculty at the University of times in the northern part
Bremen, Prof. dr. Alessio Through underwater and of the island hold such rich

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