Volcanic island

There are a number of volcanic islands that rise no more than above sea level, often classified as islets or rocks, while some low islands, such as Banaba, Henderson Island, Makatea, Nauru, and Niue, rise over above sea level. The two types of islands are often found in proximity to each other, especially among the islands of the South Pacific Ocean, where low islands are found on the fringing reefs that surround most volcanic islands. Volcanic islands normally rise above a hotspot or subduction zone. ==Habitability==

Volcanic islands usually range in size between . Islands above a certain size usually have fresh groundwater, while low islands often do not, so volcanic islands are more likely to be habitable. Many volcanic islands emerge from the deep abyss of the ocean, and feature rough or mountainous landscapes in their interiors and a diverse array of summit elevations. Researchers have observed that the island will often be covered by dense tropical forest. These limit settlement on the interior of many islands, forcing communities to develop along the coast. Larger islands may have rivers, resulting in flood hazards. Rivers deliver sediment downstream, which can dominate the shape of the coast and contribute to erosion. Tall volcanic islands are often surrounded by protective fringing or barrier reefs, creating lagoons. ==See also==