Formation of the Maldives: Atolls from Submerged Volcanoes

The Maldives is an archipelago of 1,192 islands grouped in 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, ~700 km southwest of Sri Lanka.

Geological Origin

1. Volcanic Foundation: Underwater volcanoes erupted, building seamounts that eventually breached the surface as islands.
2. Reef Growth: Coral reefs formed around the volcanic islands.
3. Subsidence: Over millions of years, the volcanic crust cooled and subsided (sank), while sea levels fluctuated.
4. Atoll Formation: As the volcano sank, the coral reef continued growing upward, maintaining its position near sunlight. The central island disappeared beneath the waves, leaving a ring-shaped reef (atoll) enclosing a lagoon.

Key Facts

• Formation period: 60–70 million years ago.
• Average elevation: 1.5 meters – lowest country on Earth.
• Highly vulnerable to sea-level rise.