Discovered in 1800 by the British navigator George Bass, the islets of Marotiri emerge from a platform of about 3mi (5km) in diameter submerged at 328ft (100m) deep. Their rocky peaks ranging from a few meters to 370ft (113m) above sea level indicate ancient craters. Attached administratively to the commune of Rapa, the control of their fish-bearing waters is responsible for ancient rivalries that do not prevent the inhabitants of Rapa from fishing there.