2007-12-18 11:35:34 · 7 answers · asked by Chance D 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
An atoll is a type of island. It's formed by an underwater volcanic crater. Coral grows on the crater and piles up until it breaks the water. Sand collects on the coral adding to the atoll. They are often donut shaped outlining the rim of the crater.
2007-12-18 11:40:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
An atoll is an island formed specifically from a volcanic crater, while islands are simply levels of high elevation on the regular old ground. You can think of islands like mini continents, because if you look at a globe, the continents are technically islands. Of course, they aren't called islands, because they're just so darn big, but they're made from the same stuff as islands are. Atolls are specifically made from volcanos.
2007-12-18 20:07:48 · answer #2 · answered by Tomboy with girly tendencies 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An atoll is an island formed by the top part of an extinct volcano. It barely breaks above the surface of the water, so there's ocean water inside the volcano, too. The island is shaped like a donut.
An island is just a chunk of land surrounded by water.
2007-12-20 00:17:05 · answer #3 · answered by Maryfrances 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
atoll is a type of island like Hawaii's islands
2007-12-18 19:46:00 · answer #4 · answered by jennybaratta2002 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think "Polo Mint"
Atolls are usually ring shaped enclosing a lake or lagoon
2007-12-18 19:45:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you've seen one small coral island, you've seen atoll.
2007-12-19 10:02:05 · answer #6 · answered by yankee_sailor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont here you saying please
2007-12-18 20:55:19 · answer #7 · answered by James L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋