Discovered in 1992, these seamounts form a 1,350 kilometres (840 mi) long chain which starts from the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge.

It is possible that this hotspot generated additional volcanoes, such as the Ngatemato and Taukina seamounts farther west.

[3] The Foundation Seamounts are located in a part of the Pacific Plate where major tectonic events have occurred.

Some of the seamounts close to the ridge have flat tops and show evidence of having formed islands above sea level in the past.

[15] On the other end of the ridge, "Buffon" seamount rises to a depth of 470 metres (1,540 ft) and likewise shows evidence of having emerged above sea level, as well as of extensive erosion.

[31][32] This area of silicic volcanism extends southward from the point where the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge intersects the Foundation Seamounts.

[43] The Foundation Seamounts are constructed by various types of alkalic magmas, including alkali basalt, trachyandesite and trachydacite.

[44] Dredge samples have found rocks consisting of aphyric basalt with plagioclase phenocrysts and olivine.

[45] Volcanic activity of the Foundation hotspot appears to have been steady throughout 23-5 million years ago,[46] but may have weakened dramatically since then.

[8] Close to the intersection between the Foundation chain and the Antarctic-Pacific Ridge, a lava flow field was emplaced between 1997 and 2001 on a bathymetric high.

[50] Among the animals found on the Foundation Seamounts are the seaperch Helicolenus lengerichi,[51] the striped trumpeter,[52] decapods including the genus Paralomis and the species Shinkaia crosnieri,[53] and the spiny lobster Jasus caveorum.