If sea level rises above a coral reef, what may happen to the reef? << read less

By the standards of past geological history of the Great Barrier Reef, this current sea level change is very small. However, it is believed that sea levels had been very constant for the past 6000 years, resulting in a well-defined depth profile across virtually all reefs. Most reefs will probably be able to accommodate a sea level rise of 3mm per year as the maximum rate of reef growth is about twice this. However, as the rate of sea level rise increases, the depths at which coral reefs are able to survive may change as will the shape and existence of some cays and islands.