AccidentalReefs
Someartificialreefsarenotplanned.Theyaremadefromobjectsthatdon’tbelongintheocean.Thesemightbeplanesthatcrashorshipsthatsink.Theybecomereefsby accident.
Africa
Red Sea
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_4/885424/wreck.480_0_1.jpg)
ThewreckoftheGiannisDliesonits side.
There’saplaceintheRedSeaoffthecoastofEgypt.Passingnearitbyshipcanbedangerous.Itiseasytostrikethereef.Manyshipshaverunintotroublehere.Therearefourlargeshipwrecksonthe seabed.
TheGiannisDisoneoftheships.Itwascarryingtimber.Itstruckthereef,andtheshipwasdamaged.Thecrewescaped.Astormlatertoretheshipintolarge piecesandsentthemtothebottom.Thatwasalongtimeago.Now,itiscoveredincorals.Itishometomanyanimals.Turtles,fish,andeelslivethere.Now,the shipispartofthe sea.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_4/885431/.shutterstock_8486827_HB.mp4.640_0_1.jpg)
Ascubadiverlooksatanother shipwreck.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_4/885426/turtle.480_0_1.jpg)
AFutureHope?
Nothingcanreplaceanaturalcoralreef.Yet,artificialreefscanmakeupforsomeoftheloss.Intime,plantsandanimalscanthriveinthese reefs.
AturtlefeedsoncoralsattachedtothewreckoftheGiannis D.
Thisartificialreefisfullof life.
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_4/885429/.shutterstock_21385276_HB.mp4.960_0_1.jpg)
![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2020/artificial_reefs_4/980467/cloudinary_2_jane_20goodall_20id_20chimps.960_0_1.jpg)