GALAPAGOS NATURAL HISTORY

The Galapagos Islands are one of the most pristine environments in the world. These islands born of volcanic fire, have never been attached to a continent. Unlike other volcanic island chains like Hawaii, human settlement in the Galapagos is relatively new - making Galapagos a virtually untouched living laboratory. It's here in this pristine sanctuary scientists and visitors alike can witness first hand the forces that created not only the Galapagos but the planet earth.

GEOLOGY AND VOLCANOES

Along the western coast of South America the Nazca Plate is subducted by the South American plate. The absorbed energy is released at the Galapagos Hot Spot and the earth continues to grow and begin anew. It is here, at this hot spot, that each of the Galapagos Islands was formed.

Early in their geological life, an island starts as a under sea mount, growing with each volcanic erruption. The mount grows as layers of lava build one over the other until the accumulated lava finally reaches the surface and an island is formed. Over the millenia the island will break free of the hot spot and drift away. In the process making room for a new island to be begin and a chain to be formed.

In Galapagos you can see the geologic life cycle of the islands. Younger islands are characterized by their active volcanoes, stark landscape and high percentage of endemic wildlife. While older islands have dormant volcanoes and diverse flora and fauna.

OCEANOGRAPHY AND GALAPAGOS OCEAN CURRENTS

Located at the confluence of a series of ocean currents, no force effects the Galapagos more than that of the ocean. Learn how the prevailing current has influenced the climate, flora, and fauna of the islands. These nutrient rich waters are home to one of the greatest collections of sea life anywhere in the world. Galapagos is home to a mixture of both cold water and warm water sea animals. The waters are full with sharks, rays, tuna, morays, whales, dolphins, sea lions and amberjacks to only name a few. The uniqueness of the mixture of life may be easiest seen on land as a place where you can see pink flamingos normally seen in the Caribbean only a few feet away from penguins normally only seen in the Antarctic region.

CHARLES DARWIN AND THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION

The Galapagos may be best known for one of it's early visitors. It was a young Charles Darwin whose visit to the Galapagos changed the way we think of the world. Darwin saw what thousands of visitors see each year - that through the process of evolution the animals have adapted on different environment depending on the islands environment.

Galapagos is home to endemic birds and animals including Galapagos Penguin, Flightless Cormorant, and the Marine Iguana the only sea going Iguana in the world. To survive in these stark volcanic islands these iguana took to the ocean to feed on algae.

Maybe the best known of all Galapagos wildlife is the Galapagos Tortoise. The tortoise's ability to survive months without food or water made it possible for these animals to survive the sea journey thousands of years ago. Once in Galapagos the tortoise filled the role normally played by large mammals - that of the dominate grazer. In Galapagos the tortoise evolved into different species on each island - and in the case of Isabela multiple species on the same island as they lived in different environments.

GALAPAGOS FLORA

As unique as the wildlife is less noted is the plant life 40% of which is endemic to Galapagos. Though the islands are home to more than 1000 species of plants - many of the plants can only be found in certain elevations or life zones. Many plant species play a significant roll here - the Galapagos tomato's salt tolerance and disease resistance have caused tomato growers around the world cross breed them with local tomatoes.

GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION

The incredible wonders of the Galapagos make this one of the most precious places in the world. Learn about the preservation and conservation issues affecting the Galapagos and its natural resources. And how organizations like the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park work together to restore the natural balance and encourage responsible tourism.