"In certain Pacific island chains, characterized by feldspathoids in their volcanic rocks, the arrangement of the different types of islands conforms to a pattern which suggests that vulcanicity began at one end and moved progressively along the chain, erecting a series of volcanoes, each of which passed through a succession of stages, ending as an atoll. The origin of coral reefs is discussed in the light of these observations."

GeoRef, Copyright 2004, American Geological Institute. Reference includes data from Bibliography and Index of Geology Exclusive of North America, Geological Society of America, Boulder, CO, United States