Image: Atoll forming-volcano

Description: Internationalization of the diagram:Atoll forming. 1=Volcanic Island 2=Fringing reef 3=Barrier reeef Caption: Coral atolls develop from reefs fringing volcanic islands. As first hypothesized by Charles Darwin, and confirmed by ocean drilling done by British scientists a century ago, reefs fringing volcanic islands build vertically to sea level, forming steepwalled barrier reefs. As a volcanic island subsides, or sinks, with time, the growing reef keeps pace with the rising water level. When the island eventually submerges, the ring-shaped reef forms an atoll with a central lagoon.
Title: Atoll forming-volcano
Credit: Atoll_forming-i18.png
Author: Atoll_forming-i18.png: Susan Mayfield and Sara Boore, modified by Eurico Zimbres derivative work: Geronimo20 (talk)
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No