"Over the last 25 years considerable information on the geomorphological evolution of the world's largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, has become available. This book reviews the history of geomorphological studies of the Great Barrier Reef and assesses the influences of sea-level change and oceanographic processes on the development of reefs over the last 10 000 years. It presents analyses of recently attained data from the Great Barrier Reef and reconstructions of the sequence of events that have led to its current geomorphology. The authors emphasize the importance of the geomorphological time span and its relevance for present management applications. This is a valuable reference for academic researchers in geomorphology and oceanography, and will also appeal to graduate students in related fields."--BOOK JACKET.