Question

Coral reefs grow on submerged platforms of eroded islands eventually forming coral islands called atolls. is this destructive force or constructive force?

Answer 1

The formation of coral islands called atolls through coral reef growth is a constructive force, as it builds up marine structures over time providing habitats and protecting shorelines.

Step-by-step explanation:

The growth of coral reefs on submerged platforms, leading to the formation of coral islands called atolls, is a constructive force. Corals are marine invertebrates that form colonies in shallow tropical waters and secrete calcium carbonate skeletons, which accumulate over long periods to create reef structures.


These structures not only provide habitat and food for many marine organisms but also protect shorelines from erosion, contributing positively to the marine ecosystem and physical geography. Coral reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef and atolls arise from a complex process involving the mutualistic relationship between corals and photosynthetic unicellular algae, essential for the reefs' growth in nutrient-poor waters.