![]() Their pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters can be attractive to tourists, though. Soil quality tends to be poor and erosion is an ongoing threat. Examples of atolls include the islands of the Maldives, Polynesia, and Micronesia.Īlthough some atolls are inhabited, many are deserted because they're remote, difficult to reach, and have few natural resources. Pieces of coral get eroded into tiny grains of sand that pile up on the reef to form tiny islets or a ring-shaped island. At this point, the reef is called a barrier reef because it protects the lagoon from the waves and winds of the ocean.įinally, over time, ocean waves begin to break up parts of the coral reef. Over millions of years, the ocean waves begin to erode the volcanic island in a process known as subsidence.Įventually, the island erodes and disappears below the surface, leaving a lagoon of water surrounded by a coral reef. It surrounds the island just below the surface of the water. What we see as a coral reef actually consists of millions upon millions of the hard exoskeletons made out of calcium carbonate (more commonly called limestone) created by the corals.Īt this point, the reef is called a fringing reef. Over time, hard corals, also known as hermatypic corals, begin to build a reef around the island. With continued eruptions, the lava continues to build until it breaks through the ocean's surface and forms an island. It begins when an underwater volcano erupts, creating a buildup of lava on the seafloor. The formation of an atoll is a slow process that can take millions of years. Why was it such a bad pun? As geography buffs know, ring-shaped coral reefs, islands, or groups of islets surrounding a central lagoon are known as atolls. Of course, if you're not familiar with geography, then her joke might have gone right over your head. We had to groan when we overheard Dorothy's bad pun. Neil: * sigh* That joke takes a toll on me! Although…ĭorothy: This place can really take atoll on you after a while! Neil: I love looking at the coral reef around the lagoon, too.ĭorothy: Yes! It's so beautiful. ![]() There's nothing better than swimming around in the lagoon all day. Neil: Ah, this is the life, isn't it Dorothy?ĭorothy: You bet it is, Neil. We were walking around the Wonderopolis lagoon the other day when we overheard an interesting conversation between two fish: ![]()
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