Atolls & Coral Formation: Mapping Nature’s Ringed Islands
What is an atoll? An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets encircling a central lagoon, formed as volcanic islands gradually subside and reefs grow upward in response. How do coral atolls form? Coral atolls form through a three-stage process—fringing reef, barrier reef, and finally atoll—powered by reef growth keeping pace […]