The unevenness of the lay of the land of the Bahama Banks (and the same is true also of the southern portion of Florida, the Yucatan peninsula, and of nearly all of the submarine plateaus or banks in West India waters) is largely due to the maritime life such as the coral reefs and the coral rock formed on these (answer) features. The outer portion of the continental shelf, in most instances, is formed of soft, unconsolidated calcareous mud or ooze. In the tropical seas, the depth and clearness of the water are favorable. As a result, the reef-building coral-polyps become attached and form massive corals.