Topic summary
Ashmore Reef
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Ashmore and Cartier Islands.
Geography and climate
Ashmore Reef lies on a platform with a long shallow shoal to its east. Its basement has been measured at a depth of 272 metres and is topped by sand sediments composed of foraminifera tests, mollusc shells, and some corals. The reef has a gradual slope on its southern side, with a steep northern slope. Cartier Reef similarly has a gradual reef slope on its southern side and a steeper slope on its northern side. Cartier Island contains an accumulation of beachrock on the south of the island.