Motu (island)
Motus ( singular motu ; Polynesian for islet , island ) is the name given to the reef islands of an atoll that only occur in tropical waters. The term is only used in Polynesia . The tidal channels between the Motus, the water exchange of the lagoon guarantee is called Hoa .
The classic atoll consists of a volcanic central island , surrounded by a coral reef with more or less numerous motus. They consist of coral debris and sand and usually only rise slightly above sea level. Motus are covered with palm trees or other tropical vegetation, islands without vegetation are usually referred to as sandbars .
There is no precise definition of size. Some motus of large atolls, for example those of the Rangiroa Atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago , have an area of several square kilometers and are inhabited, on other motus there is only room for two or three coconut palms . The medium-sized motus from Bora Bora shown on the right have a diameter of approx. 300 m, of which around 200 m are vegetated.
