Deep nutrient-rich ocean currents flowing along the coastlinee are forced upwards toward the surface when they come into contact with the steep slopes of the bank’s plateau.

This creates upwelling at the shelf break, which occur because there are ocean currents flowing along the coast, slower moving water at the bottom of the ocean due to friction, stratified water separated by density, salinity, and temperature, and a dramatic change in seafloor slope.

Many marine birds live at Stellwagen Bank, including gannets, shearwaters, storm petrels, fulmars, puffins and razorbills.

The Laurentide Ice Sheet advanced over the eastern United States 25,000 years ago, pushing in front of it large amounts of earth and rock.

The southern margin of the glaciers formed local geographical features including Cape Cod and Stellwagen Bank.

Prior to Stellwagen's hydrographic survey, it was believed there were two small banks in the area, one just to the north of Cape Cod, and one in the middle of the entrance to Massachusetts Bay.

[6] Remotely operated underwater vehicles were used from 1993 to 2003 to make additional observations of the fish within the sanctuary and adjacent waters.