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
What Is an Atoll? Formation, Features Marine Life An atoll stands as one of Earth’s most remarkable natural formations—a ring-shaped coral reef encircling a lagoon where once stood a volcanic island These living geological wonders represent the resilience and adaptability of coral ecosystems over vast stretches of geologic time
Atoll Facts and Information - Coral Reef Info Atoll Facts and Information For reef scientists, atolls are broadly defined as large, ring-shaped coral reefs that surround a central lagoon
Atoll - National Geographic Society An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets The atoll surrounds a body of water called a lagoon
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
ATOLL Definition Meaning - Merriam-Webster Many islands in that independent nation demonstrate the archetypal atoll, and geographers often use them to point out the characteristic features of such coral islands
Corals Tutorial: How a coral atoll forms - NOAAs National Ocean Service When the island completely subsides beneath the water, it leaves a ring of growing coral with an open lagoon in its center, this is called an atoll The process of atoll formation may take as long as 30 million years to occur
What Is an Atoll and How Does It Form? - thedailyECO An atoll is a coral island that is characterized by having a ring shape, enclosing an interior lagoon that is connected to the ocean Atolls are formed by the accumulation of corals at the base of the island that provide an ideal environment for their growth
Geography of Atolls - Geography Realm The result is an atoll, a circular or horseshoe-shaped coral reef that encircles a lagoon partially or fully The coral reef and the lagoon together create a unique ecosystem that supports a wide variety of marine life