Updated by: Arabinda Naik
An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef surrounding a lagoon. Atolls are found in warm tropical and subtropical waters, and they are most common in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They are typically formed over the tops of submerged volcanoes that have subsided beneath the ocean's surface. The coral reef grows around the top of the volcano, creating a ring-shaped island. Over time, the volcano erodes away, leaving behind a lagoon in the center of the atoll. Atolls can vary in size from a few kilometers across to hundreds of kilometers wide. The lagoon in the center of an atoll is usually shallow and sheltered from the open ocean, making it a haven for marine life. The reef around the edge of the atoll protects the lagoon from storms and waves, and it also provides a habitat for a variety of fish, coral, and other marine organisms. Atolls are often remote and isolated, making them popular destinations for tourists and scuba divers. They offer a unique and beautiful environment that is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life.
Here are some of the key characteristics of atolls:
• They are ring-shaped islands formed by coral reefs.
• They are found in warm tropical and subtropical waters.
• They are most common in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
• They are typically formed over the tops of submerged volcanoes.
• They have a lagoon in the center, which is often shallow and sheltered.
• They are home to a wide variety of plant and animal life.