What type of islands are the Lakshadweep Islands?
a) Volcanic Islands
b) Coral Islands
c) Continental Islands
d) Riverine Islands
Answer: b) Coral Islands
Explanation
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Coral Islands (Atolls): The Lakshadweep archipelago is made up entirely of coral atolls, reefs, and submerged sandbanks.
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Formation: They were formed by the accumulation and consolidation of calcium carbonate skeletons deposited over thousands of years by microscopic marine organisms called coral polyps. These polyps thrived on shallow, warm oceanic platforms (such as the Chagos-Laccadive submarine ridge) in the Arabian Sea.
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Historical Name: Due to their coral nature, these islands were earlier known as the Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands before being officially renamed Lakshadweep in 1973.
Overview of Other Options
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a) Volcanic Islands: Islands formed by volcanic eruptions emerging from the ocean floor. Barren Island and Narcondam Island in the Andaman Sea are examples of volcanic origin in India.
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c) Continental Islands: Unsubmerged parts of a continental shelf separated from the main continent by water barriers (e.g., Sri Lanka, Madagascar).
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d) Riverine Islands: Landmasses formed within river channels due to silt and sediment deposition (e.g., Majuli in the Brahmaputra River, Assam).
