Coral chronometers: seasonal growth bands in reef corals

Science. 1972 Jul 21;177(4045):270-2. doi: 10.1126/science.177.4045.270.

Abstract

Autoradiagraphs and x-radiographs have been made of vertical sections through the centers of reef corals from Eniwetok. Radioactivity bands in the coral structure are caused by strontium-90 and are related to specific series of nuclear tests, thus making possible calculation of long-term growth rates. These data indicate that the cyclic variations in radial density revealed by x-radiography are annual.