Volcanic Islands

Volcanic islands make up a significant portion of Micronesia's landmass. As a result, the States of Micronesia's territories of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae encourage communities on such islands. Yap State covers 119 square kilometers and is made up of four volcanic islands and 19 populated outlying islands and atolls. Yap is an archipelago of volcanic and continental islands encircled by a large reef platform.

Chuuk State is the most populated of the states, with 126 square kilometers of volcanic islands in the Chuuk Lagoon and roughly 24 outlying island atolls. Pohnpei State, home to Micronesia's capital, is made up of one big volcanic island and six inhabited atolls, the majority of which are part of the island of Pohnpei. Kosrae is a 111-square-kilometer volcanic island surrounded by a fringing reef.

Micronesia's islands range in size from small coral atolls that barely rise above sea level to uplifted limestone islands and volcanic high islands. Guam (541 km2, 406 m height), Babeldaob (331 km2, 242 m elevation), Pohnpei (344 km2, 772 m elevation), and Kosrae (344 km2, 772 m elevation) are the largest (110 km2, 634 m elevation).