At the northern end, the channel is bounded by the Wyville-Thomson Ridge, named after Charles Wyville Thomson, professor of zoology at the University of Edinburgh and driving force behind the Challenger Expedition.

Both are named after Rockall, a rocky islet lying 301.4 km (187.3 mi) west of St Kilda.

[1] In February 2000, the RRS Discovery, a British oceanographic research vessel sailing in the Rockall Trough encountered the largest waves ever recorded by scientific instruments in the open ocean, with a SWH of 18.5 metres (61 ft) and individual waves up to 29.1 metres (95 ft).

Rights to exploit these resources are disputed between the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands (a possession of Denmark).

[4] The MPA is designated a Category IV protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.