The archipelago of the Azores consists of nine isolated oceanic islands located on an intersection of three tectonic plates: The North American plate, the Eurasian plate and the African plate, presenting a great diversity of marine organisms. Thereby Azores archipelago, is located at the crossroads of several important ocean currents, that allowed these islands to become the refuge of an astonishing biodiversity. Underwater, the volcanic activity of the islands has created a unique underwater topography that serves as a resort for a variety of wildlife, a mix of oceanic, tropical and endemic species.

This geographical scope makes these islands important living laboratories for the study of biodiversity, as shown by the studies of Arruda Furtado, who corresponded with Charles Darwin, having in the Azores several studies in Malacology that supported Darwin’s theory of evolution.
The Azores is home to over 30 species of cetacean that either migrate through islands or are resident inhabitants.