Motu

Motus (singular Motu; polynesian for islet, island ) is called the reef of an atoll, which occur only in tropical waters. The term is used only in Polynesia. The Tidenkanäle between the Motus ensuring the exchange of water of the lagoon, called Hoa.

The classic atoll consists of a central volcanic island surrounded by a coral reef with more or less numerous Motus. They are made of coral rubble and sand and rise usually only slightly above the sea level. Motus are covered with palm trees and other tropical vegetation, islands without vegetation is usually referred to as a sand bank.

In terms of size, there is no precise definition. Some Motus large atolls, for example Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago, have an area of ​​several square kilometers and are inhabited, on the other Motus find only two or three coconut palms place. The depicted on the right medium Motus of Bora Bora have a diameter of about 300 m, of which around 200 m vegetation.

• Island
• Choronym
• Polynesia
• Endogenous morphodynamics
• Volcanism
• Atoll