These majestic islands were formed millions of years ago, because of a divergent fault. Not earthquake activity, however, has occurred more recently, and volcanic activity is just a slow oozing buildup of a few northern islands. As the spread apart, magma shot up to take its place. As this magma slowly cooled, it formed islands, and the process repeated. Other geographical factors have also coincided to help it be such a unique destination. Due to its great isolation from any other land, as you can see on the map, it has a one-of-a-kind ecosystem, with many species calling it their only home (also known as species endemic to the Galapagos).
Its distance also stopped much human intervention, until relatively recent years (Charles Darwin, anyone?). Anyways, humanity saw its unique value, and it’s now a model of how a lack of human intervention can preserve important biodiversity and beauty for generations to come.
After flying into lat=0.455278, lon=90.265274 I began my sightseeing tour. The islands’ government does, after all, allow for a certain amount of visits, in a few small areas of the islands. Even here, I can see the amazingly innocent and friendly species that have not been hardened by years of poaching, hunting, and pollution.
Their calmness and trust is allowing me to take some amazing shots from just a inches away of the flora and fauna. Some of the endemics I was fortunate enough to encounter include the grand Galapagos Tortoise, unique birds such as the Blue-footed Booby and Darwin’s Finch, many other birds, seals, iguanas, and even more.
After flying into lat=0.455278, lon=90.265274 I began my sightseeing tour. The islands’ government does, after all, allow for a certain amount of visits, in a few small areas of the islands. Even here, I can see the amazingly innocent and friendly species that have not been hardened by years of poaching, hunting, and pollution.
Their calmness and trust is allowing me to take some amazing shots from just a inches away of the flora and fauna. Some of the endemics I was fortunate enough to encounter include the grand Galapagos Tortoise, unique birds such as the Blue-footed Booby and Darwin’s Finch, many other birds, seals, iguanas, and even more.
Great job for explaining how this Island was created! Great research! I really learned a lot from your findings!
ReplyDeleteSuper cool. I really liked that pic of the baby turtle. I have seen a real Galapagos tortoise before, although it was in a zoo... anyway, super cool and it's good to know you know a lot about those little clusters of islands!
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