Marine life in Cordell Bank National
Marine Sanctuary
thrives in part due to its geological features.
The granite bedrock was once part of the Sierra Nevada
mountain range until movement in the
Pacific tectonic plate
sheared the granite bedrock into its present location
off the coast of Point Reyes, California.
The bank is still moving at a
rate of five centimeters each year.
Invertebrates flourish here, thanks to
large rock formations and shallow waters
where they can attach.
The sandy channels throughout the bank
provide a historical record for life
and are a great place for scientific research.
In fact, the sand isn't really sand at all
but is composed of shell fragments and calcium carbonate deposits
from the animals that used to
live there.
The unique blend of oceanic conditions and
geological topography allow Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary to thrive.
