Understanding Today's Crossword Puzzle
The clue "Atolls, essentially" leads us to the answer "CORAL". Let's break down the clue and explain why this answer fits perfectly.
1. Atolls: Atolls are ring-shaped coral reefs that surround a central lagoon. They are found in tropical oceans and are formed by the accumulation of coral skeletons.
2. Essentially: The word "essentially" indicates that we are looking for the core or fundamental aspect of atolls.
Putting these two pieces together, we can conclude that the answer "CORAL" fits the clue perfectly. Here's why:
1. Coral as the primary component of atolls:
Atolls are primarily composed of coral, which are marine organisms that secrete calcium carbonate to form hard skeletons. The accumulation of coral over thousands of years results in the formation of structures like atolls. Therefore, when we think about the core or essential component of atolls, coral stands out as the main answer.
2. Coral's significance in atoll formation:
Coral plays a crucial role in the formation and growth of atolls. The living coral polyps form colonies, and as they continue to grow, their calcareous skeletons accumulate, creating a framework for the atoll structure. Over time, this framework becomes stronger and more intricate, eventually forming the characteristic ring shape of an atoll.
To summarize:
The clue "Atolls, essentially" is a clever way of hinting at the answer "CORAL" as the essential component or building block of atolls. Its unique relationship with the formation and structure of atolls makes it the most fitting answer for this crossword clue.
Definition of "CORAL"
a hard stony substance secreted by certain marine coelenterates as an external skeleton, typically forming large reefs in warm seas
Example :The Crossword clue "Atolls, essentially" published 1 time/s & has 1 answer/s.
Crossword | Date | Answer |
Newsday.com | 7 January 2018 | CORAL |