	The seamount has a star-like shape, with two prominent ridges east and west and a somewhat less prominent ridge south of the volcano; it also features smaller ridges at its foot and amphitheatre-shaped scars from landslides. The total volume of the volcano is estimated to be about and its height above the seafloor is comparable with that of major isolated volcanoes such as Fuji, although much smaller than compound volcanic islands such as Hawaii. The seafloor around Vailulu'u lies at a depth of about ; the foot of the seamount has a diameter of about . A saddle at a depth of depth connects it to Ta'u.