The Azores region harbours an array of large geomorphological features including ridges, seamounts, plateaus and abyssal plains. This complex topography hosts a variety of small-scale variations, including underwater cliffs (or vertical walls) and overhangs that create distinct habitats in the region. Characterizing their geomorphology and benthic community composition requires a feat of technology in order to navigate these complex terrains to collect data. Since most of these walls are still unexplored, many important questions remain unanswered: How much heterogeneity do vertical walls introduce into the environment at small scales? How widespread are they? Can we predict their location? Do vertical walls support unique assemblages of megabenthic species? Can these habitats be used to determine baselines for Good Environmental Status? ¡