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Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru . Ihuru Necklace
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Local Time 04:00 PM (GMT +05)
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Beach erosion is a serious problem for resorts in the Maldives, as it threatens the foundations and house reefs of the islands. At Angsana the “Ihuru Necklace“ was conceptualized in an attempt to prevent beach erosion by creating an artificial reef surrounding the entire resort, just like a necklace. While the structure was never completed, it now measures 40 meters in length and 2 meters in width. It helps to break the force of the waves, while providing a home to a great variety of marine life, from finger corals and massive corals to stingrays, moray eels, fish, algae and a multitude of other living organisms.
Like the Ihuru Barnacle and Vabbinfaru Lotus, the Ihuru Necklace uses the principle of “Mineral Accretion” invented by Prof. Hilbertz and Dr. Goreau. It is constructed out of steel bars, which are charged with low-voltage electricity and settled with dead corals, which in turn attract living corals and organisms. Through calcium carbonate deposits, the thickness of the steel bars has already grown in places from 12mm (dia) to a substantial 25cm (dia). What started as a thin artificial structure has become an impressive permanent natural reef.
The aim of the experiment was to see if the Necklace helps in breaking the energy of the waves and control beach erosion. Today we find that it is helping in breaking the wave energy. |
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Scientists fixing the Necklace in 1997
In the early stages, some massive corals were placed on top to stabilise it
After 6 years, the structure has grown thick with calcium carbonate |
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