How were the Maldivesā coral atolls formed?
The Maldives are composed of approximately 1,200 coral islands and sandbanks organized into clusters known as atolls. These structures are classic examples of coral reefs that enclose a lagoon.123
The formation of these atolls is primarily explained by the theory originally proposed by Charles Darwin. According to this model, atolls represent the final stage of a process where coral reefs grow upward around a sinking volcanic island. As the volcanic foundation subsides, the reef continues to grow toward the surface to remain in the shallow, sunlit waters necessary for reef-building organisms. Eventually, the volcanic island disappears beneath the ocean surface, leaving behind a ring-shaped reef that encloses a central lagoon.24
Modern scientific understanding also incorporates the role of sea level changes, particularly those resulting from cycles of glaciation during the Pleistocene Epoch, which have significantly influenced the upward growth of many reefs. Additionally, some annular reefs may develop through the erosion of uplifted limestone platforms, which are subsequently submerged, allowing coral growth to resume along the rim.24