Whence/Spine

This range of undersea mountains follows half a great circle around the planet Whence. It is currently believed that this may have been the planet's equator at the time the mountains were formed. For about 35 degrees around the planet (1900 miles), these mountains each above sea level. They are mostly isolated peaks rather than a true mountain range, with hundreds of yards or even a few miles of sea between neighbouring islands.

The Spine is mostly uninhabited, however there are usually about a dozen geologists from offworld universities studying the area's unusual formation. There is also a permanent research station maintained by Gracini University on one of the larger islands, although this is currently unoccupied.