atoll
atoll Ring-shaped reef of coral enclosing a shallow lagoon. An atoll begins as a reef surrounding a slowly subsiding island, usually volcanic. As the island sinks, the coral continues to grow upwards until eventually the island is below sea level and only a ring of coral is left at the surface.
http://nasa.gov/Study/Maldives/maldives.html
http://nasa.gov/Study/Maldives/maldives.html
atoll
atoll
atoll
at·oll / ˈatˌôl; ˈatˌäl; ˈāˌtôl; ˈāˌtäl/ • n. a ring-shaped reef, island, or chain of islands formed of coral.
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atoll