Fernandina - Galapagos Geology

Fernandina Island

Wildlife

Marine
Life

Conservation
Issues

Geology

Dominating the island's landscape is its shield volcano, Las Cumbres, which is the world's youngest volcano at only 700,000 years old. In 1968, the summit caldera (mouth) collapsed, subsequently causing the floor to drop 350 metres over the course of two weeks. Las Cumbres is one of world's most active volcanoes, having had 24 eruptions since 1831, including 8 eruptions from its 6 km wide caldera since 1968.

Following the volcano's most recent eruption in April, 2009, Fernandina is subsequently looking rather grey and rocky in appearance. Consequently, the island has limited plant life, characterised by its abundance of lava fields, which are interspersed with colonies of lava cacti. There are however, extensive concentrations of mangroves along the coastal areas of the island.  

Further inland, the island's black lava flows become increasingly evident, with a trail that eventually leads to a hidden inner lagoon, where hawks can often be seen circling overhead.

The Beagle - Mary Anne - Cachalote - Sagitta - Amazonia - Samba - Beluga - Galaxy - Princess Grace - Aida Maria - Eden - Evolution - Eclipse - Grand Odyssey - Journey I - Eric - Flamingo - Letty - Odyssey - Athala - Nemo I - Nemo II - Diamante - Alta - Lammer Law - Rachel - La Pinta  - Humboldt Explorer - Parranda - Isabela (Albemarie) - Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) - San Cristobal (Chatham) - Baltra (South Seymour) - North Seymour (Seymour Norte) - Fernandina (Narborough) - Española (Hood) - Genovesa (Tower) - Bartolomé (Bartolemew) - Santiago (San Salvador or James) - Santa María (Floreana or Charles) - Marchena (Blindoe) - Mosquera - Plaza Sur (South Plaza) - Pinta (Abingdon) - Pinzón (Duncan) - Santa Fé (Barrington) - Rabida (Jervis) - Daphne

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