e-Newsletter Sign-Up
DONATE
MAKE A GIFT TODAY
Your generous support will help prevent future extinctions in Galapagos and protect some of the Islands’ most iconic wildlife, from majestic giant tortoises and sea turtles to Darwin's finches.
Galapagos is located on the Nazca tectonic plate. This perpetually moving plate is heading eastward over the Galapagos hot spot and has formed the chain of islands. The islands were formed through the layering and lifting of repeated volcanic action. This geographic movement is correlated to the age of the islands, as the eastern islands (San Cristóbal and Española) are millions of years older than the western islands (Isabela and Fernandina).
Most of the islands have a distinctive conical shape that is often associated with volcanic action. The mountainous islands have been formed through continuing eruption, building layer upon layer. Due to this volcanic formation, the islands are characterized by many steep slopes, with heights ranging from a few meters above sea level to more than 5000 feet above sea level.
Each major island, with the exception of the largest island, Isabela, consists of a single large volcano. Isabela was formed when six volcanoes joined above sea level. Geologically, the Galapagos Islands are quite young, probably no more than five million years old. Some of the westernmost islands, which are the most volcanically active, may only be hundreds of thousands of years old and are still being formed today.
Connect with us
Latest News
-
Traveling to Ecuador Amidst the COVID-19 Outbreak
03.13.20 UPDATE: As of Monday, 3/16/20, the Environmental Ministry of Ecuador has restricted... More >
-
Galapagos Conservancy President Announces Forthcoming Retirement
02.24.20 February 24, 2020 President of Galapagos Conservancy, Johannah Barry, is announcing... More >
-
BREAKING: Expedition to Wolf Locates Tortoise with Pinta Genes
02.01.20 January 31, 2020 A team that traveled to Wolf Volcano for a 10-day expedition... More >
Latest Blog Posts
-
On the Case: Galapagos Team Embarks on Search for ‘Most Wanted’ Giant Tortoise
By Lindsay Renick Mayer of Global Wildlife Conservation In February of 2019,... More >
-
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Darwin Volcano Tortoises, Part II
By Diego Andino Robalino, Biologist and Naturalist Guide with the Galapagos... More >
-
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Darwin Volcano Tortoises, Part I
By Wacho Tapia, Director of the Giant Tortoise Restoration Initiative. Leer... More >
