火山列岛 18

When giant clams spawn,

they expel millions of eggs into the water.

And when one starts,

all the others quickly follow.

The sea soon turns cloudy with life.

Giant clams can live for over 50 years.

But it's their death

that is crucial to the creation of land in Kingman Reef.

These few hundred metres of coral rubble

and dead clams

are the only visible signs of Kingman above the water,

providing a valuable rest stop to passing voyagers.

Eventually, seeds brought by ocean currents and birds

will turn it into a new island.

And once vegetation is established,

wildlife is never far behind.