Inani beach is 18 km long sea beach, in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. It is composed of corals. I am eager to know about the genesis of the Inani sea beach.
I do believe that Enani (Inani) beach is an eroded part of a coral reef islets.
Hi Sudip,
I stayed in Cox’s Bazar and visited Inani beach in 1997, and based on my observations the beach sands contain only very limited amounts of coral fragments, and most of the carbonates seem to originate from shellfish. The geologic history of the region does not support the assertion that the beach is part of an eroded coral reef islet. To my knowledge there are no “coral reefs” present in the region (now or in the past), but in certain areas such as Narikel Jinjira we do find a well-developed scleractinian coral community. This coral community is able survive due to the presence of solid substrate made of sedimentary boulders (accretions). Because of complex set of environmental condition this incipient coral community is not able to form a coral reef. If you like to read more on this you can access:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304077895_MANAGEMENT_PLAN_FOR_CORAL_RESOURCES_OF_NARIKEL_JINJIRA_St_Martin's_Island
It is possible that these type of incipient coral communities may have also developed along the western side of the south tip of Teknaf peninsula if the sedimentary accretions are present, but I did not have a chance to explore that region in 1997, so this is pure speculation for now. However, the coral community on Narikel Jinjira may be ONE of the sources of the coral fragments (carbonate fraction of Inani sands) we find on Inani beach. Please note that just because we find some carbonate in the sand does not mean that the beach is composed of corals. Past research done on the mineralogy of the Inani beach suggests that the source of the sand is probably the Tertiary range that runs east of Cox’s Bazar.
I have attached a number of papers on the geologic history of the area, as well as on the sedimentary analysis of the Inani beach sands which do not support “coral reef” origins of Inani beach.
Cheers, Tomas
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Books