Lagoons are beautiful places! Lagoons are commonly found throughout coastal areas all over the world. There are two main types of lagoons: coastal and atoll. Coastal lagoons form along coasts that are gently sloping. They have shallower waters because they are separated from the ocean by natural barriers like islands, sandbanks, or reefs. Coastal lagoons are formed when a shallow basin erodes overtime and fills up with water. Coastal lagoons have a shorter life because water levels and tides are constantly changing and affecting these lagoons.
Atoll lagoons form when a volcanic island submerges under the water and coral continues to grow around the island in a ring. The coral acts as a natural barrier protecting the now enclosed lagoon. Unlike the coastal lagoons that are shallow, atoll lagoons contain some deep areas. Did you know that atoll lagoons can take up to 300,000 years to form? That is a long time! Lagoons are a popular tourist attraction, and many people travel to different parts of the world to see them. One of the world’s most famous lagoons is the Blue Lagoon located in Iceland. |
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Credits for Blue Lagoon photo
https://www.viator.com/en-CA/tours/Reykjavik/Blue-Lagoon-and-Northern-Lights-from-Reykjavik/d905-24308P46
https://www.viator.com/en-CA/tours/Reykjavik/Blue-Lagoon-and-Northern-Lights-from-Reykjavik/d905-24308P46