The field phase, involving eighteen scientists, three support staff and seven field assistants, who participated in one or more of the five 3 month long expedition modules, ended on 31 March 1992. Changeover of personnel was undertaken by charter yacht from 1200 nautical miles distant Tahiti, while movements between the islands of the Pitcairn Group were co-ordinated by the Te Manu . This uplift has stranded a former lagoon in the island's interior with remarkably preserved coral colonies and large areas of coral stick rubble. The great diversity of species and evidence of prodigious coral growth suggest an excellent interchange between lagoonal waters and the surrounding ocean. Other members of this genus are well known for their fragrant pale wood, which yields aromatic oils used in perfumery and incense.
Sandalwoods are parasitic, deriving part of their nutrition from the roots of other species.
Expedition mapping has shown S. hendersonense to be common on Henderson, occurring in a variety of habitats. It feeds on squid caught far out to sea and only comes ashore to care for its single white egg and then slow-growing downy chick on the remotest coral islands along the southern edge of Polynesia. The majority of the world's population of this petrel probably breed on Ducie Island. At other seasons it is dispersed as far as the waters off the Hawaiian Islands and California. It was identified as a new species by Dr Jeremy Holloway at the Natural History Museum in London.