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What is a reef atoll?

What is an “atoll”? For reef scientists, atolls are broadly defined as a large, ring-shaped coral reefs that surround a central lagoon. Coming up with a more specific and unambiguous definition of such reef formations is not all that easy however.

What does an atoll look like?

Atolls consist of ribbons of reef that may not be circular but that are closed shapes, sometimes miles across, around a lagoon that may be 160 ft (50 m) deep or more. Most of the reef itself is usually below the water surface; around the rim along the top are usually low, flat islands or more continuous strips of low, flat land.

What is the difference between a barrier reef and an atoll?

The barrier reef has a deeper lagoon and protects it from harsh waves and wind. Ultimately, the island sinks below the sea and the barrier reef becomes an atoll. Bermuda, an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, is sometimes referred to as the northernmost atoll.

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