Introduction
Earth is a planet with diverse landforms. You must have seen different types of landforms around the world like plains, mountains, plateaus, deserts, grasslands, etc. Today we are going to talk about the landform called an island which is considered the most beautiful and most attractive places for tourists in the world. India also has two groups of islands in the Arabian Sea and in the Bay of Bengal namely the Lakshadweep islands and the Andaman and Nicobar islands. You must have planned about holidays in Shimla, Goa or other island countries but these Indian islands are also attractive destinations for the tourists.
Here, we will be going to talk about the island landform, what is an island, the whole island description along with how it is formed and its various types, etc. We hope this article will help you to understand this landform and you will surely plan your holidays to some island.
Island Meaning & Definition
How will you define the island? In simpler words, the landform which is surrounded by water but smaller than a continent in size is known as the island landform.
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How are Islands Formed?
There are various ways through which an island can be formed. Actually, it depends upon the island. Some of the ways are written below and others will be cleared from the various types of islands.
They can be formed because of volcanic activity. Due to the eruption of a volcano, the land starts rising and after a lot of years, the land will rise above the water then the landform which will be formed will look like an island. It can also go in another way. Due to eruption, the land starts rising and when this land is surrounded by water then it will be called an island landform.
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They can be formed because of the movements of the tectonic plates. Due to the collision of the continental plates, a mountain will form under the water that goes above land and this land surrounded by water will be termed an island.
They can also be formed due to the deposition of sand and other debris due to the erosional process at a certain point and with time it will become an island.
Types of Islands
The various types of islands are discussed below.
1. Continental Islands
These are those islands that were part of the big continent once and have broken from it and still sit on the continental shelf. The first time they were formed when pieces of land got separated from the Pangea. Examples of these types of islands are Madagascar and Greenland. There can be other reasons for this type of formation like change in the sea level or weathering or erosion etc.
2. Tidal Islands
These are those islands where land which is connecting the island and the mainland is not eroded fully but is not visible because of the high tide. For example, Mont Saint-Michel island, France.
3. Barrier Islands
These types of islands act as barriers between the mainland and the oceans. They lie parallel to the coastline and also save the coastline of the mainland from harmful ocean waves. They can be formed because of the sediments and sand etc. or can be coral islands and can be formed because of other reasons as well. They may be separated by lagoons also. Examples of this type of island are Florida, North Carolina, etc.
4. Oceanic Islands
These types of islands are formed due to volcanic eruptions in the oceans, thus they are also called oceanic islands. Due to volcanic activity, the land started rising and when it came out of the water, it became an island. They can also be formed because of the movements of tectonic plates. Examples of these types of islands are Mariana islands, Iceland, etc.
5. Coral Islands
These islands are formed because of corals and mostly formed in warm water. These islands are formed because of the large reefs of the coral colonies. The reefs started forming from the seafloor and when they reached beyond the water and it will become a coral island. For example, Jarvis, Baker, Howland, etc. The Union territory of Lakshadweep of India, which is a group of islands, also has coral islands.
6. Artificial Islands
These are man made islands. They are formed in different ways at different places and for different purposes. They are formed by bringing sand and sediments from one place to another to form an island. A great example of such an island can be seen in Dubai where sand is being brought from the Persian Gulf.
Did you know?
Greenland is the largest island in the world.
The smallest continent i.e. Australia is also an island. It is second largest in terms of islands but some geologists say that if we go as per the island definition then it can not be an island because it is already a continent. Thus, New Guinea is considered the second largest after Greenland.
We have read about the island and its related concepts. Let’s practice some FAQs related to this landform.
FAQs on Island
1. What is an island?
An island is a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water. It is smaller than a continent and can be found in oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers. Islands are formed through various natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions or the buildup of coral reefs.
2. What are the main types of islands?
There are several types of islands, each formed in a different way. The most common types include:
- Continental Islands: These islands were once connected to a continent but became separated due to rising sea levels or the shifting of the Earth's tectonic plates.
- Volcanic Islands: Formed when underwater volcanoes erupt, causing lava and ash to build up over time until they rise above the water's surface.
- Coral Islands: Created by the skeletons of tiny sea animals called corals. These build up in warm, shallow waters to form reefs and eventually low-lying islands.
- Barrier Islands: These are long, narrow islands that lie parallel to the mainland coast, protecting it from strong ocean waves.
3. Can you give some examples of well-known islands?
Certainly! Some of the most famous islands in the world include Greenland (the largest island), Great Britain, Madagascar, and the islands of Japan. In India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea are prominent examples.
4. How is a volcanic island different from a coral island?
The key difference lies in their formation. A volcanic island is created from the bottom up by molten rock (lava) from an underwater volcano, often resulting in high mountains and rugged terrain. In contrast, a coral island is a biological creation, formed by the accumulated skeletons of tiny marine organisms. These islands are typically low-lying, flat, and are found in tropical waters.
5. Is a peninsula the same thing as an island?
No, they are not the same. An island is surrounded by water on all sides. A peninsula, on the other hand, is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on most, but not all, sides. It always has one side that is connected to a larger mainland. For example, the southern part of India is a large peninsula.
6. Why are islands considered important in Geography?
Islands are very important for several reasons. They often have unique ecosystems with plants and animals found nowhere else, making them vital for studying biodiversity. They also play a crucial role in understanding ocean currents, climate patterns, and plate tectonics. For humans, they are significant centres for culture, tourism, and strategic maritime routes.
7. How do plants and animals reach remote islands?
This happens through a process called dispersal. Life can arrive on remote islands in a few natural ways:
- By Wind: Lightweight seeds, spores, and tiny insects can be carried across long distances by the wind.
- By Water: Coconuts and other seeds, and sometimes even small animals on natural rafts of vegetation, can float across the ocean.
- By Air: Birds and bats can fly to islands. They also carry seeds in their feathers or digestive systems, which are then deposited on the island.
