Coral Reefs

The blue highlights show the barrier reefs that Saipan has. The yellow highlights show the fringing reefs.Similarities:
- have reef flats and slopes
- grow on hard surfaces
- have coral growing on them
- fish live in the reefs

Differences:
- barrier reefs grow away from shore, fringing reefs grow close to shore
- atolls are built on submerged volcanoes that are usually dormant
- barrier reefs are separated lagoons, and atolls are surrounded by atolls.