ScienceAugust 27, 2026

atoll

AT-ol

Definition

A ring-shaped coral reef, island, or series of islets surrounding or partially surrounding a lagoon.

Etymology

The word originates from the Divehi language of the Maldives, where 'atolhu' refers specifically to these ring-shaped coral formations; it entered English through colonial maritime documentation in the 17th century.

In the news

Sophie Adenot uses the term to describe low-lying island structures she observed from space, noting how rising water levels have left only a thin layer over these former landmasses.

Climate change is ‘very visible from space’, France's Sophie Adenot tells RFI

Read the full article ↗

RFI

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