Coral Clues: Rise and fall of reefs record quakes’ effects

Shallow coral reefs around islands west of Sumatra chronicled the uplift and subsidence that resulted from massive quakes that struck that region recently, a new study shows. From data recorded in this biological database, scientists may learn why two undersea ruptures stopped where they did.

THE RISEN DEAD. The top of the coral in the foreground indicates the level of low tide at this site in Indonesia before March 28, 2005.