Editing Formigas (section)

==Geography==
[[File:FormigasBank.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Dispersed rocks in the northern part of the Formigas.]]
The islets are composed of [[basalt]] flows that occurred approximately 4 million years ago, although calcareous fossiliferous sediments dating to 4-6 million years ago have been discovered. The bank extends for {{convert|13|km|mi}} from northwest to southeast and is {{convert|5.5|km|mi}} wide. Due to strong currents and frequent large swells, the linear rock outcroppings lack any terrestrial flora or fauna. Along the archipelago's perimeter, the seabed drops steeply to a depth of {{convert|50|-|70|m|ft}} on either side, and gently at the northern and southern tips. The area of the bank referred to as the [[Dollabarat]] Reef is an area of shallower gradient, situated {{convert|5|km|mi}} along the southwest of the Formigas Islets.

''Formigas'' is Portuguese for ants, as the small and dispersed rocks resemble scattered ants. The largest islet Formigão has a maximum altitude of {{convert|11|m|ft}} above sea level. Generally the islets are useful for navigation and visible up to {{convert|19|km|mi}} away on clear days, but during inclement weather a ship can run aground on the rocks without even seeing the lighthouse.

===Biome===
The Formigas Bank is essentially a [[submarine volcano]] inhabited by deep-dwelling marine species such as coral and sponges.<ref name="ramsar1"/><ref name="SIARAM">SIARAM (September 2010)</ref> The volcanic cone is delimited approximately by the Formigas islets of the northwest and Dollabarat Reef to the southeast.<ref name=SIARAM/> In the ancient crater there is a rich community of species common to the Azores. Among the species typical of the area are [[wrasse]] ([[Mediterranean rainbow wrasse]] and [[Thalassoma pavo|ornate wrasse]]<ref name="ramsar1"/>), [[damselfish]], [[Sergeant major (fish)|sergeant fish]] (yellow and black), [[grouper]], [[Mediterranean parrotfish]], and the emblematic [[Atlantic goliath grouper]], [[serranidae]] and [[barred hogfish]].<ref name=SIARAM/> Alongside these are [[African threadfish]] and [[longbill spearfish]], pelagic predators that also reside in the bank, and migratory species like [[manta ray]] and [[whale shark]].<ref name=SIARAM/>

The base and surface of the volcano is covered in various types of [[black coral]], [[Corynactis|soft corals]], [[sponge]]s, and other invertebrates, as well as various [[algae]], forming a mosaic of micro-habitats.<ref name=SIARAM/> The geological differences of the Formigas Islets and Dollabarat Reef relative to the rest of the Azores are accentuated by the types of flora present there. The Formigas and Dollabarat both have an elevated biomass of [[brown algae]] considered unique to the Azores; the fields of [[kelp]] are situated between {{convert|45|m|ft}} and {{convert|60|m|ft}} below the crater at the Formigas, while at Dollabarat the [[Cystoseira|brown algae]] is located along the reef's flanks.<ref name=SIARAM/>

[[File:Formigas Islets - no watermark.jpg|center|700px|thumb|Photograph of the Formigas Islets (2010).]]