Galápagos Islands (Archipiélago de Colón or Islas Galápagos)
Welcome to a world ranging from one and a half degrees north to a half degree south of the equator!
Galápagos means tortoise. The life throughout the archipelago is as uniquely precious as the giant reptiles for which they are named. We visited east, south and central islands on our five-day, four-night cruise. How do we share our diverse adventures in a sensible fashion? Tipping our paja de toquilla hats to scientists past and present, we will talk about specific zoological groups.
The sign at the Galapagos National Park Interpretive Center giving an overview of the park.
First, the requisite regional overview. There are 13 main islands in the 61 island and islet chain. The total geographical area covers 28,000 square miles (45,000 sq. km.). The actual land area is about 4897 square miles or slightly smaller than the US State of Connecticut.
The area is ever-changing, both topside and under the ocean. Three major ocean currents, Humboldt, Panama and Cromwell, influence the weather and the ecosystems.
A sign explaining how the ocean currents affect the climate
A sign explaining how the ocean and wind currents enabled animals to arrive on the islands.
We visited during the wet season when the warmer Panama current rules. Blue skies prevailed and any rain quickly moved across the porous volcanic rocks and was gone for another day.
The archipelago was formed by volcanic activity caused as the three tectonic plates, Pacific, Cocos and Nazca, converge and shift below Galápagos. As the plates shift hot magma from the Earth’s core starts building up lava from the ocean bottom. When the lava breaks through the surface, an island is formed. But continental drift causes the new islands to move away from the volcanic hot spot. As the island moves, new potential islands are started. Of course, this all happens over thousands of years, with occasional lava flows still breaking through the surface. Here’s a visual view of our oversimplified explanation:
An interpretive center sign explaining volcanic activity. Each island shifts from the volcanic hot spot and new islands are formed.
An excellent example of the process can be found on Santiago Island. This place really rocks! Santiago’s Sullivan Bay is roughly in the middle of the island group. In this place with a hot volcanic history, animals and plants are uniquely adapted. A good part of the island is covered with Pahoehoe Lava. The surface is smooth and ropelike, with some green, beige and pinkish red flecks. The latter denotes iron. The last major volcanic activity was over 100 years ago.
Three main varieties of Cactaceae live on this island chain here in the Pacific Ocean. Lava Cactus grow on Santiago Island in the crevices of the lava formations and were one of the first plants to colonize the lava field. They can reach a height of 23 inches.
This grass starts working into the lava, giving a toe-hold for lava cactus growth
Lava cactus growing in the lava field. It is probably about 4 inches tall and 6 to 7 inches wide.
Candelabra Cactus are also endemic to the Galápagos Islands, including Santa Cruz Island, and grow up to 23 feet.
Two candelabra cacti on San Cristobal Island
Prickly Pear or Opuntia are the most common cacti in the Islands. They can grow up to 5 feet tall.
A prickly pear cactus in San Cristobal
A closeup of a prickly pear cactus flower
Prickly pear cacti in the wild with the seal of approval
Overall, the Galápagos are home to more than 600 species of plants and almost one-third of them are endemic, meaning that some species cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.
