Abstract

Modern shallow-water tropical rhodoliths with multiple internal abrasion surfaces are described from reef crest environments at Diani Reef, Kenya. These surfaces are identical to those that surround core fragments and are believed to have formed in the same way. The Diani Reef rhodoliths contain up to four abrasion surfaces. Studies on rhodolith movement under normal wave and tidal current conditions are known but the abrasion surfaces discussed here likely represent high-energy events. Such surfaces have been recorded in modern rhodoliths but are not common.