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The Galápagos consists of thirteen major islands and hundreds of smaller rocky outcroppings. A single volcano formed each Island except for Isabela, which resulted from the union of six different volcanoes. The islands lie on a platform of "land" that is higher than the surrounding ocean seabed. This platform is approximately 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) below the surface of the ocean. The area of submerged platform between San Cristobal and Fernandina is approximately 200 meters (600 feet) below sea level. The surrounding ocean in the Pacific is over 3,000 meters (9,000 feet) deep.
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