Australia's Ancient Great Barrier Reef: The Devonian Reef

Journey back in time 375 million years to uncover the secrets of Western Australia's ancient Great Barrier Reef, a massive fossilized reef system that once rivaled today’s Great Barrier Reef in scale, biodiversity, and ecological importance. Nestled in the rugged outback of the Canning Basin, this prehistoric reef is one of the best-preserved examples of a Devonian reef system on Earth. Stretching over 350 kilometers and possibly extending up to 1,000 kilometers during its peak, this incredible natural wonder was home to thriving marine ecosystems during a time when the planet’s seas teemed with life. 

From stromatoporoids and microbialites to fossilized fish and ammonoids, the reef was a hotbed of biodiversity, now immortalized in the fossil record. In this video, we take you on a journey through the geological and ecological history of this 375-million-year-old reef. Learn about the stromatoporoid sponges and microbialites that built this vast structure, how tectonic forces along the Lennard Shelf shaped its growth, and how fluctuating sea levels during the Devonian influenced its development. Explore iconic sites like Windjana Gorge,

Tunnel Creek, and Menyous Gap, where the reef’s layered limestone formations reveal the story of its rise, evolution, and ultimate collapse. Discover how the globally significant Frasnian-Famennian extinction event wiped out many of the reef’s primary builders and paved the way for microbial dominance in its final stages. We’ll also dive into the fossil-rich Gogo Formation, which preserves exceptionally detailed fossils of Devonian fish, including rare 3D specimens with soft tissues intact. See how these fossils provide unparalleled insights into the evolution of early vertebrates and marine ecosystems of the Devonian period.

You’ll also learn how the reef was reshaped by glacial activity during the Carboniferous Ice Age, leaving behind breathtaking karst landscapes with caves, sinkholes, and sharp limestone ridges that can still be explored today. Whether you’re a geology enthusiast, a fossil lover, or just fascinated by the history of Earth, this video is packed with information about one of the planet’s most extraordinary ancient ecosystems.

Dive into the story of Western Australia’s ancient Great Barrier Reef, a fossilized marvel that stands as a reminder of the resilience and fragility of reef systems in the face of environmental change. Don’t miss this detailed exploration of a prehistoric world, perfect for fans of geology, paleontology, and natural history.

Link to Website that talks about the Devonian Reef:

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ca4ba29c786b499f8c32d278d83bf1ab 

Studies used to help create this video:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012825208000123?via%3Dihub https://www.researchgate.net/publication/43528440_Devonian_reef_complexes_of_the_Canning_Basin_Western_Australia_Review_of_Devonian_palynology_Canning_Basin https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-4983.00145 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001669951630016X#fig0030