Galapagos Explorer: your luxury vessel in Galapagos

MAIN

YOUR VESSEL

THE ISLANDS

[islands] [location] [geology] [marine currents] [evolution] [vegetation zones]
[natural main events] [wildlife] [interpretation center] [national parks’ rules] [history]

GEOLOGY

How the Islands are formed

The Galapagos Islands are located on one of the most active volcanic regions on earth: the Nazca Plate. This plate moves eastward towards South America because of the spreading of the sea floor, at a rate of 7 cm/yr. This plate moves over a stationary area of intense heat or "hot spot" which "builds" the islands. Thus, the oldest part of the Archipielago is found at the east of the cluster.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - copyright © . All rights reserved - - - - - - - - - - - - - -