黄岩岛四周为距水面0.5米~3米之间的环形礁盘,礁盘周缘长55公里,面积150平方公里,礁盘外形呈等腰直角三角形,其内部形成一个面积为130平方公里、水深为10米~20米的潟湖。黄岩岛发育在3500米深的海盆上,是深海平原上的一座巨大的海底山峰露出水面的部分。黄岩岛潟湖东南端有一个宽400米的通道与外海相连,这条水道水深9米~11米,宽360米~400米,中型渔船和小型舰艇可由此进入,从事渔业活动或者避风。 Huangyan Island is surrounded by the water surface 0.5 meters to 3 meters between the annular reef disk, reef disk circumference 55 km long, an area of ​​150 square kilometers, the reef disk was isosceles right triangle, the internal formation of an area of ​​130 square kilometers, water depth 10 meters to 20 meters of the lagoon. Huangyan Island developed in 3,500 meters deep basin, is a part of the surface of a huge sea-level peaks on the deep-sea plains. At the southeast end of Huangyan Island Lagoon, there is a 400-meter-wide channel connected with the sea. The water channel is 9 to 11 meters deep and 360 to 400 meters wide. Medium-sized fishing boats and small ships can enter and engage in fishing activities or shelter from the wind.