Tortugas Banks facts for kids
The Tortugas Banks are amazing underwater coral reefs located off the coast of Florida. They are deep beneath the ocean surface, usually between 20 and 40 meters (about 65 to 130 feet) down. These special places are home to many sea creatures and are important for our planet's health.
Tortugas Banks: Underwater Worlds
The Tortugas Banks are like huge underwater gardens made of coral. They grew on top of very old rock, called Pleistocene karst limestone. Even though there aren't many different types of coral here, there is a lot of coral covering the area.
One of the most common corals you'll find is called Montastraea cavernosa, which is a type of stony coral. You can also see black corals, especially on the edges of the banks. These banks are also a popular spot for fish like groupers and snappers. These fish are important for the local fishing industry. The Tortugas Banks are part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which means they are a protected area.
Where Are They Located?
The Tortugas Bank is the farthest west part of the Florida Keys. It's completely underwater, so there are no islands or rocks sticking out of the water. The shallowest part of the bank is about 11 meters (36 feet) deep. An area about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide around the center of the bank is less than 18 meters (59 feet) deep.
The Tortugas Bank is about 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) west of Loggerhead Key. Loggerhead Key is the westernmost small island in the Dry Tortugas National Park. It's the closest piece of land to the Tortugas Bank.
There are also other banks nearby:
- 8 Fathom Bank: This bank is about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) northeast of the center of Tortugas Bank.
- Little Bank: This one is about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) northeast of the center of Tortugas Bank.
