The Banks

Includes: Saint Rogatien Bank, Brooks Bank, Raita Bank, Pioneer Bank, others

Geography: Submerged volcanoes with limited coral growth.

Locations: Some near French Frigate Shoals, Gardner Pinnacles and Neva Shoals

History: There are about 30 submerged volcanoes forming banks and seamounts around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Not a lot is known about them. Hawaiian monk seals and seabirds feed there, but the banks lack the protection provided by barrier reefs, and don't have a lot of coral. Still, scientists believe they may serve as stopping-off points for fishes and other forms of marine life as they move from island to island.