Where are coral lagoons commonly found in the Pacific Ocean?

In the Pacific Ocean, coral lagoons are found widely across the western region and are most spectacularly exemplified by the atolls located throughout the ocean. These lagoons generally occur within 25° latitude of the Equator, where tropical conditions support the necessary coral growth.1

Beyond atolls, coral-reef lagoons also form on marginal reefs, such as the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. These environments are created as islands are gradually submerged by geologic subsidence or sea-level changes, allowing coral to build up and form barrier reefs or atolls that enclose quiet, shallow waters.12