Formation
Islands develop from coral reefs through one of two processes, uplift and accretion.
In uplift, coral reefs are raised above sea level through movements in the oceanic crust.
In accretion, rocks and sand are layered on top of coral reefs during cyclonic storms, and the gradual accumulation of other solid material through the action of wind and waves leads to the development of the island. The process is later enhanced with the remains of plantlife which grows on the island.
Where coral islands form from atoll reefs, the result is an island or string of islands in a roughly circular form, surrounding a shallow lagoon.
Read more about this topic: Coral Island
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