Abstract: Coral reefs are unique geological formations created by biological activity in tropical and subtropical oceans and coastal regions. Although the timing and evolutionary processes of coral reef formation have garnered significant attention, many details remain a subject of debate. In this study, we focused on Meiji Reef in the Nansha Islands. By conducting strontium, carbon, and oxygen isotope analyses, as well as mineralogical, micropaleontological, and elemental analyses, we reconstructed the formation and evolutionary history of this coral reef. Our findings indicate that the formation and development of coral reefs are complex geological processes influenced by a combination of factors, with regional tectonic movements and long-term climate change playing crucial roles. Coral reefs develop gradually on volcanic substrates, and their evolutionary process can be divided into eight stages. On Meiji Reef, we frequently observe extensive exposures of coral reef, with approximately 1,000 meters of coral reef being eroded simultaneously. The entire developmental process of the coral reef can be explained through a phased erosion and sedimentation model, which is also applicable to the study of coral reef formation and development in the Xisha Islands. Based on our research, we speculate that many tropical coral reefs may not sustain prosperity over long periods. Depositional hiatuses are commonly found within coral reef strata. This discovery offers a new perspective for understanding the formation and evolution of coral reefs and provides important scientific evidence for future coral reef conservation and research.

Key words: Coral reef, Tectonic movement, Climatic change, Cenozoic, Meiji Reef