Locality: Marshall Islands (7.874260, 167.255860)

Abstract: The Republic of the Marshall Islands consists of over 2,000 small, low-lying coral islands and islets clustered in 29 atolls and 5 table reefs in the West Central Pacific Ocean, just north of the equator and west of the international dateline. The land area of Marshall Islands is made up of the carbonate remains of coral reef plants and animals and include sands, gravel, cobbles, boulders, consolidated limestone debris, and beach rock. The soil is very thin and of poor quality. Nevertheless, many plants grow on the island and provide food, materials for houses and transportation, food storage, and clothing, as well as perfumes, medicines, and many other items.

The islands and atolls lie in two parallel chains known as the east branch and the west branch (Ratak and Rālik). In true atoll form, they are narrow and low and encircle large central lagoons. There are more than 1,150 islands in these two chains. See Island Profiles for cross-section diagrams of the atoll islets. Most islands have an average elevation of about 2 meters (6 ft.) above the sea level with only a portion of a few islands higher than 5 meters or 16 ft. in height. On most islands the highest thing is a tall tree, such as a breadfruit or coconut palm. Storms sometimes wash away complete islands. Click here to learn more...