Tobago occupies
part of the southern area of the Caribbean Plate
and unlike
Trinidad, its geology is closely related to the chain of
volcanic islands.
ORIGIN
Tobago was once a
volcanic island, hovever the volcano is now
extinct. The
island first came to life as a submarine volcano deep below the blue
Caribbean sea. Volcanic eruptions occured and overal several years it
increased in size.
Coral soon began
to grow on the sides and ridges of the volcano and
along the
surrounding ocean floor as well. The coral colony gradually
built up
producing the characteristic shape of Tobago.
DEVELOPMENT
As the Caribbean
Plate moved, faults developed on the ocean floor
and a series of
upliftment of the coral block took place. Evidence of
this can be seen
by the raised coral terraces on some beaches. The island eventually
became emerged to form Tobago.
TOBAGO TODAY
Coral colonies
can been seen along many of Tobago`s costal areas.
These coral not
only contribute to the formation of new costal land,
but also protects
much of Tobago`s costal zones from being eroded
by the
waves. The Buccoo Reef is one example.
