The atolls, vibrant islands


Atolls are coral islands made up of a barrier reef that enclose lagoons. They are sometimes accessible by the sea via channels. 

They are ecological wonders and only 400 exist in the world and nearly a quarter of them are in Polynesia. These atolls are coral concretions with a volcanic basalt base plunged in an abyssal ocean. 





These islands are in perpetual evolution and their elevation rises and falls depending on the movements of the ocean floor. 

These products of nature each have their own point of distinction. It is in these special zones that harbour a unique flora and fauna. Studies have shown some surprising scientific particularities that are unique to these areas, for example a recently discovered geothermic process called endo-upwelling.
 
Born from an extremely fragile and delicate natural balance, each atoll has its own distinctive features.