火山列岛 20

Palau—the jewel of Micronesia

As with many islands in the Pacific,its volcanic speaks still linger on

Beyond their shores are other familiar scenes

Barrier reefs

And small coral atolls

But here,there’s something different

The reefs of Palau have risen from the deep

not slowly,likely Kingman,

But suddenly,35 million years ago,powerful earthquakes forced them high above the waves

And Palau’s rock islands were created

Some are up to 200 metres tall

Exposed cliffs now reveal their rock’s true origins

It’s limestone,created by crushed coral and ancient shells

Since those earthquakes,there’s been another big change here