Three types of reefs were recognized, i.e., patch reef, platform-edge reef, and pinnacle reef.
Yang-Wei Feng, Hong-Jun Qu, Gong-Cheng Zhang, Ren-Hai Pu 2017, 'Seismic interpretation and hydrocarbon accumulations implication of the Miocene MeishanFormation reefs in southern Qiongdongnan Basin, northern South China Sea', Journal of Palaeogeographyhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209538361730055X. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Both marine and non-marine internal sediments are present in the patch reef.
TESFAYE LAKEW 2017, 'DIAGENESIS OF A RHAETIAN PATCH REEF (LOMBARDIAN BASIN, SOUTHERN ALPS)', Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafiahttps://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/RIPS/article/view/8619. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)