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Geological Formations

Raised coral atoll

Structural and Tectonic Formations

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A raised coral atoll, or uplifted coral atoll, is an atoll that has been lifted high enough above sea level by tectonic forces to be protected from scouring by storms, allowing soils and diverse, often endemic, species of flora and fauna to develop. With the exception of Aldabra in the Indian Ocean and Henderson Island in the Pacific, most tropical raised atolls have been dramatically altered by human activity such as species introduction, phosphate mining and even bomb testing.

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