Around 5 million years ago, the enchanted Galapagos archipelago was born from fire in the middle of the ocean.
Shaped by a fissure and an underwater eruption over thousands of years, the Galapagos Islands gradually emerged, forming a rocky and inhospitable archipelago. Then, over time, plant and animal species settled there, adapting to this very special environment.
This archipelago is considered young. The islands continue to develop as time and volcanic eruptions progress. More islands may be added in the years to come.
A total of 21 volcanoes have been recorded on the Galapagos Islands, 13 of which are currently active.
These volcanic eruptions have given rise to a number of very different and exceptional ecosystems. From lunar landscapes to tropical vegetation, from Darwin’s Arch to lava tunnels, from Santiago Island’s blue lagoon to Bartolomé Island’s Pinnacle Rock, they are home to a fauna and flora that are mostly endemic and unique in the world.
The Sierra Negra volcano, south of Isabela Island, is considered the largest and most active volcano in the Galapagos Islands. It also has the second-largest crater in the world, with a diameter of around 10 km.
During your visit, you can take a tour of the Sierra Negra volcano, or climb to the top of some of the volcanoes to catch a glimpse of their craters, some of them fulminating…
With its unique history, the volcanic archipelago of the Galapagos Islands is an integral part of the natural heritage of Ecuador, the land of volcanoes.
