atoll is a product of coral reef growth, mostly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Usually, the center of a larger atoll will have shallow lagoon with a depth of several tens of meters, and the lagoon will be surrounded by a circle of islands. The base that supports islands and lagoons is the reef. So, which atoll has the largest reef plate?
We know that the vast Pacific Ocean is full of coral reefs. In fact, the number of coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean is far greater than that in other oceans. However, the largest atoll in the world that this article wants to talk about is not in the Pacific Ocean.
Which atoll is it?
Introduction
It is located in the archipelago in the central Indian Ocean and is the main body of the Chagos Islands. The Chagos Islands have more than 2,200 islands, of which it contains the largest proportion. However, most of these islands will be flooded at high tide. Dangerous Island, Eagle Island, Manatee Island , Nelson Island, etc. are the main islands. The Chagos Islands have 7 large and large atolls, which are the most prominent, with a reef pan far exceeding other atolls, and the remaining six atolls are all around it.
Distribution of various atolls in the Chagos Islands
What is it? It is Chagos Grand Atoll.
How huge is its area
So, how huge is its area?
1. Let’s first compare the largest atoll in the entire Pacific Ocean to it. Kwajalin Atoll is located in the Lalik Islands of , Marshall Islands, and on the east side of Uja Atoll, the reef area is more than 3,600 square kilometers. It is an unparalleled existence in the entire Pacific Ocean. Yes, the opponent we are looking for is it. Let’s take a look at the comparison between Kwajalin Atoll and Chagos Grand Atoll in the same proportion. The picture is hand-drawn, with possible errors and can be used as a reference.
Comparison of the area between Chagos Grand Atoll and Kwajalin Atoll
2. Let’s compare the largest atoll in the South China Sea to it. Zhongsha Big Atoll is located on the north side of the central side of South China Sea . The main body of Zhongsha Islands is larger than Shanghai, with a reef area of more than 8,400 square kilometers. The status of Zhongsha Grand Atoll in the Zhongsha Islands is no different from that of Chagos Grand Atoll in the Chagos Islands. They are so similar, it is worth comparing. What's the result? As shown in the figure below:
Comparison of the area between Chagos Atoll and Zhongsha Atoll
It is the second largest atoll in the world.
Let’s compare Tianjin, a municipality directly under the central government, with it. Yes, Tianjin is one of the four municipalities directly under the central government in my country, with an area of 11,800 square kilometers. Let me ask my readers first, can you believe that the area of an atoll can reach tens of thousands? Even I think this shouldn't be very likely. But what? The Chagos Atoll exceeded 10,000, which scared Tianjin City. Two words: wonder!
Area comparison between Chagos Grand Atoll and Tianjin
Finally, let me talk about the area data of Chagos Grand Atoll: 12924 square kilometers. Alas, I don’t know if I don’t look at it, I’m really shocked when I see it!
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