However, the time you choose to visit might depend on what you are most interested in seeing. Walking during a sunny day on Fernandina Island.įernandina is an island with a rich natural history that makes it a year-round destination. Visiting these lava fields offers a great ecology teaching moment, showing how vegetation first begins to form. Another path can take you to see two different kinds of lava flows: Pahoehoe and aa lava are both produced by the volcanic eruptions on Fernandina. One is a short walk along the peninsula that offers some good wildlife-viewing opportunities. There are two hiking options at Punta Espinoza. It is too far away for you to reach it from a day trip. The only way to visit the island is on a Galapagos expedition cruise. The only visitor’s site on Fernandina Island is Punta Espinoza. What to Expect on a Visit to Fernandina Island There is only one visitor site on the island and it is an important place to see wildlife exclusive to the Galapagos western islands. This means that it is also the youngest island and the one that has been least affected by human activity. The geological age of the islands helps us to track the movement of the tectonic plate from west to east.įernandina is the Galapagos’ most active volcano, counting 24 eruptions since 1813. As the tectonic plate shifts around over the earth’s mantle, the magma is released at different surface points, in this case creating different islands. These holes in the earth’s surface then begin to accumulate the upwelling magma that has cooled into rock, forming the volcano’s identifiable cone shape. Magma becomes pressurized inside the earth and pushes itself outwards. Hot spots are created by thin spots in the Earth’s crust.
The Galapagos Islands were formed by a hot spot (similar to how the Hawaiian archipelago was formed). Fernandina Island and the Geological Formation of the Galapagos Visitors can witness lava flows and observe unique wildlife colonies that have suffered few effects of human intervention. This is what makes Fernandina such a special destination. Fernandina Island, one of the westernmost islands, is also one of the newest: It is still being formed by the island’s own active volcano. The oldest islands, Española and San Cristobal are found in the Eastern part of the archipelago.
The Galapagos Islands were formed by volcanic activity.
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