How were Palau’s Rock Islands formed?

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Palau’s famous "rock islands" were formed as uplifted reef structures composed of coralline limestone.1

These islands have been significantly shaped over time by environmental factors. Thick vegetation growth, combined with the chemical action of heavy rainfall, has sculpted the limestone surfaces, resulting in razor-sharp edges, points, and broken rubble. Additionally, these islands are characteristically deeply undercut at sea level. Some of the larger islands reach heights of up to 600 feet (180 meters) and contain interior brackish lakes that remain connected to the surrounding lagoon via subterranean channels.1