Atoll - Wikipedia An atoll ( ˈæt ɒl, - ɔːl, - oʊl, əˈtɒl, - ˈtɔːl, - ˈtoʊl ) [1] is a ring-shaped island, including a coral rim that encircles a lagoon There may be coral islands or cays on the rim [2][3] Atolls are located in warm tropical or subtropical parts of the oceans and seas where corals can develop
Atoll | Definition Facts | Britannica atoll, coral reef enclosing a lagoon Atolls consist of ribbons of reef that may not always be circular but whose broad configuration is a closed shape up to dozens of kilometres across, enclosing a lagoon that may be approximately 50 metres (160 feet) deep or more
10 Most Captivating Atolls in the World (+Photos) - Touropia An atoll is a ring of coral that originally grew completely around the shoreline of an island, and which continued to grow upward on top of itself as the island subsided or eroded away As reef building corals thrive only in warm waters, atolls are only found in the tropics and subtropics
What Is An Atoll? - WorldAtlas An atoll is a type of coral reef with a coral rim that partially or completely surrounds a water body known as a lagoon It is usually formed from a fringing reef around a volcanic island
Atoll Facts and Information - Coral Reef Info For reef scientists, atolls are broadly defined as a large, ring-shaped coral reefs that surround a central lagoon Coming up with a more specific and unambiguous definition of such reef formations is not all that easy however
Atoll - National Geographic Society An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets An atoll surrounds a body of water called a lagoon Sometimes, atolls and lagoons protect a central island Channels between islets connect a lagoon to the open ocean or sea Atolls develop with underwater volcanoes, called seamounts
What Is an Atoll and How Does It Form? - thedailyECO An atoll is an oceanic coral island or a set of various small islands known as islets which are characterized by their ringed shape The circular or annular shape encloses an interior lagoon which has access to the sea, generally of shallow depth
Geography of Atolls - Geography Realm Atolls are ring-shaped coral reefs, islands, or a series of islets that encircle a lagoon either partially or completely The shape of atolls varies with some being elliptical or circular in shape and others having an angular shape Atolls also vary in size
Scientists Say: Atoll - Science News Explores An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island or chain of islands around a body of water called a lagoon An atoll forms when an underwater volcano spills lava onto the seafloor Over many eruptions, that volcanic rock piles up Eventually, it rises above the water This creates an island
What is an atoll? A geological wonder of the oceans. An atoll is a fascinating coral formation that emerges in the middle of the ocean It is distinguished by its circular or ring shape, usually surrounding a shallow lagoon But how do these unique structures form and why are they so important for marine biodiversity?