Porcupine Bank is a raised area on the Irish continental shelf, approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) west of Ireland. It is 200 m below sea level at its highest.
Etymology
The name comes from the bank's discovery in 1862 by HMS Porcupine, a British sail and paddle-wheel ship used mainly for surveying. == Location and features ==
Location and features
Porcupine Bank is located on Ireland's continental shelf, on the fringes of the Atlantic Ocean approximately west of Ireland. The suggestion has since appeared more than once, e.g., in an 1883 edition of Notes and Queries. == Biological significance ==
Biological significance
The northern and western slopes of the bank feature species of cold-water corals. According to Dr. Anthony Grehan of the National University of Ireland, Galway, the virtually untouched site could benefit dwindling fish stocks and possibly aid medical research. == References ==