atoll
Lagoon-encircling island
An atoll is a ring-shaped coral island encircling a lagoon.
Atolls form when coral grows around a volcanic island that later sinks beneath the sea, leaving the reef structure behind.
They are typically low-lying and found in tropical waters: The Pacific is dotted with atolls.
The Maldives consists almost entirely of atolls.
Water-bounded land mass
- isletVery small land mass
- caySmall coral island
- keyLock-opening device
- archipelagoChain of scattered islands
reef · sandbar · shoal · rim · passage · channel · inlet · coastline
Marine skeletal formation
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- lagoonSheltered coastal shallows
- ring-shapedForming a closed loop
- volcanicOf fiery mountain origin
subsidence · fringing · barrier · seamount · caldera · eruption · tectonic · geology
Range of life forms
- marine lifeOcean-dwelling organisms collectively
- sea turtleOcean-dwelling shelled reptile
- manta rayBroad flat cartilaginous fish
- sharkCartilaginous marine predator
seabird · coconut crab · clam · parrotfish · triggerfish · nesting · spawning · endemic
Mildly salty water
- shallowWithout much depth
- turquoiseBlue-green opaque gemstone
- shelteredKept safe from harm
- enclosedSurrounded and sealed within
tidal · seagrass · coral head · anchorage · salinity · sediment · circulation · nursery
Distant or controller
- isolatedSeparated from others
- fishingCatching aquatic creatures
- subsistenceMinimal means of living
- copraDried coconut meat
taro · breadfruit · outrigger · canoe · settlement · village · rainfall · drought
island
Water-bounded land mass
archipelago · reef · sandbar · shoal · rim · passage · channel · inlet · coastline · strand
coral
Marine skeletal formation
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- lagoonSheltered coastal shallows
- ring-shapedForming a closed loop
volcanic · subsidence · fringing · barrier · seamount · caldera · eruption · tectonic · geology · Darwin
biodiversity
Range of life forms
- marine lifeOcean-dwelling organisms collectively
- sea turtleOcean-dwelling shelled reptile
- manta rayBroad flat cartilaginous fish
shark · seabird · coconut crab · clam · parrotfish · triggerfish · nesting · spawning · endemic · fragile
brackish
Mildly salty water
enclosed · tidal · seagrass · coral head · anchorage · salinity · sediment · circulation · nursery · calm
remote
Distant or controller
- isolatedSeparated from others
- fishingCatching aquatic creatures
- subsistenceMinimal means of living
copra · taro · breadfruit · outrigger · canoe · settlement · village · rainfall · drought · evacuation
- islandsisland, isle, isles, islet, islets
- Indian OceanArabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Andaman Sea
- coastal placesbeach, Big Sur, island, Monterey Bay, resort
- KiribatiChristmas Island, Caroline, McKean, Starbuck, Vostok
- Maldives
- reef sciencecoral bleaching, reef conservation, polyps, symbiosis, barrier reef
atollvolcanic island
Land formed by eruptions
volcanic peak · seamount · mainland · shield volcano · stratovolcano
atollmountain
Tall natural landmass
peak · mountain range · highland · plateau · summit
- Bikini AtollIrradiated Pacific coral ring
- coral atollsRing-shaped island formations