QUITO, Ecuador — A volcano on an uninhabited island in the Galapagos has begun erupting, lighting up the nighttime sky as lava tumbled down its sides toward the sea.
The La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina island began erupting Saturday around midnight in what officials with Ecuador’s Geophysical Institute said could be its largest eruption since 2017. The 1,476-meter (4,842-foot) volcano last erupted in 2020.
Images shared on social media taken by visitors to the Galapagos show the volcano profiled against a crimson red sky.
While the eruption posed no risk to humans, the island is home to a number of species, including iguanas, penguins and flightless cormorants. In 2019, scientists found on the island a giant tortoise not seen in more than a century and had been feared extinct.
The La Cumbre volcano is one of the most active in the Galapagos Island chain, which is famous throughout the world for helping 19th century British scientist Charles Darwin develop his theory of evolution.
The Galapagos Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador, are known for their unique and diverse wildlife. However, a recent volcanic eruption on one of the uninhabited islands in the archipelago has captured the attention of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.
The eruption occurred on Fernandina Island, one of the youngest and most active volcanoes in the Galapagos. The volcano, known as La Cumbre, began spewing lava and ash into the air, creating a spectacular display of natural power. The lava flow quickly made its way down the slopes of the volcano and into the sea, creating steam and plumes of smoke as it met the cool ocean waters.
While Fernandina Island is uninhabited by humans, it is home to a variety of unique plant and animal species, including marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and Galapagos penguins. The eruption has raised concerns about the potential impact on these fragile ecosystems, as well as the surrounding marine life.
Scientists are closely monitoring the situation, using drones and satellite imagery to track the movement of the lava flow and assess any potential risks to wildlife. They are also studying the eruption to better understand the geological processes at work in the Galapagos and how they shape the islands’ landscapes over time.
Despite the potential risks posed by volcanic activity, eruptions like the one on Fernandina Island are a natural part of the dynamic processes that have shaped the Galapagos Islands over millions of years. They also provide valuable insights into the forces that drive volcanic activity and help scientists better understand how to mitigate the impact of future eruptions on both human and animal populations.
As the lava continues to flow into the sea, creating new land and reshaping the coastline of Fernandina Island, it serves as a reminder of the power and beauty of nature. While the eruption may cause temporary disruptions to the local ecosystem, it also offers a rare opportunity to witness the raw forces of creation at work in one of the world’s most unique and biodiverse environments.
