Galapagos Volcano

It is the largest and one of most active volcanoes in the Archipelago, with 12 known eruptions since 1813.

Reports indicated that the lava ran down to the northern side of the Island, originating from the area near the Chico Volcano. The eruption produced three lava flows or trails, two trails headed northwest, and another headed northeast towards the sea.

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For the safety and security of Puerto Villamil inhabitants, the Galapagos National Park closed the Chico Volcano and Bocanilla Volcano (the ones closest to Sierra Negra Volcano) to visitors.

No one was evacuated, including people living near the volcano. The last time this volcano erupted was in 1979.

The eruption of this Galapagos volcano was not a threat to its unique wildlife such as the Galapagos Tortoise because the lava flows were down the northeast slopes of Sierra Negra volcano where there are no animal presence.

The town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island is located south of the volcano with a population estimated of 2,000 people, but the eruption caused no risk to the population. As a precaution tourist centers near Sierra Negra volcano were closed.

See Beautiful Galapagos Island Pictures here

Fernandina Volcano

This volcano is located directly over the Galapagos hotspot.

The hotspot means that the Galapagos are situated right over an area of extreme heat within the Earth's mantle.

This Galapagos volcano is located on the remote and uninhabited Fernandina Island in the Galapagos National Park.

The most recent eruption of Fernandina Volcano was on Thursday 12th May 2005 when it threw a thick cloud of ash that rose up to a height of seven kilometers from a fissure on the west side of the volcano.

Volcanic material even reached the neighboring Isabela Island. You were able to see this column of smoke and ash even from as far as Baltra Island.

Fernandina is one the youngest and most active volcanoes of our planet.

The majority of eruptions of this Galapagos volcano have been confined to the caldera, although in 1995 and 2005 were "flank eruptions".

Fernandina's caldera is elongated in a North West – South East direction, it is about 3 km x 5 km in diameter, and over 1,100 m deep and was formed during several episodes of collapse.

There are many circumferential fissures close to the rim of the caldera.

The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. So far there have been more than 50 eruptions in the last 200 years.

The most active Galapagos volcanoes are the ones on Fernandina and Cerro Azul on Isabela Island.

Most travel companies specialized in Galapagos adventures include hiking tours to the rim of Alcedo Volcano, with an incredible view of the caldera and to the rim of Sierra Negra, which is the oldest Galapagos volcano on Isabela Island. Hiking is also available through the highlands of Santa Cruz Island

See Our Recommended Galapagos Land Tours

Galapagos Suggested Reading:

The Diving Guide: Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands, is world renowned for adrenaline-charged diving and unique, fearless wildlife. These "Enchanted Islands" beckon both divers and non-divers from around the globe who come to dive with whale sharks and walk with giant tortoises. (This is the best diving guide I've ever read)

Visit the Galapagos Islands and experience an incredible adventure



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