Atoll
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Atoll
Atoll (/əˈtɒl/, /ˈætɔːl/, or /ˈætoʊl/) is a ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets. An atoll surrounds a body of water called a lagoon. Sometimes, atolls and lagoons protect a central island. Channels between islets connect the lagoon to the open sea.
Etymology
The word "atoll" comes from the Dhivehi (an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Maldives) word "atholhu".
Related Terms
- Coral reef: A large underwater structure made of dead and living corals
- Islet: A small island
- Lagoon: A shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water (like a sea or ocean) by a barrier such as a sandbar, coral reef, or barrier island.
- Sea: A large body of saltwater that is smaller than an ocean
- Ocean: A vast body of saline water that composes much of a planet's hydrosphere
- Sandbar: A long, narrow sandbank, especially at the mouth of a river
- Barrier island: A long, thin, sandy stretch of land, oriented parallel to the mainland coast, that protects the coast from the full force of powerful storm waves.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Atoll
- Wikipedia's article - Atoll
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