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Eric Castro asked:


GENERAL BACKGROUND

Fernandina Island is the westernmost island of the Galapagos Archipelago. It is one of the youngest and most active volcanos of our planet.

There are no human settlements on the island.

Fernandina Island holds only one visitor site: Punta Espinoza (located on the northeast corner of the island)

This shield volcano raises 1,476 meters above sea level (4,842 feet)

Previous eruption took place between January and April 1995.

Island volcanos behave very differently than continental volcanos

The overall amount of gas is low (in comparison to continental volcanos). Thus, eruptions lack high explosivity (like Reventador, Mount Saint Helen’s, Etna, etc).

In island volcanos, lava does not come out from a single vent. Eruptions on island volcanos are mostly through fissure eruptions. These fissures can be radial or circumferential.

The crrent eruption started on Friday, May 13th, 2005. A circumferential fissure located on the southern flank of the volcano is the source of molten rock. Height of the fissure lies at about 1,100 meters above sea level (4,000 feet).

Current fissure has a length of 6 Km (4 miles). The eruption looks like a linear water fountain that bursts out the molten rock upwards. Maximmum height of the fountaining lava has reached 8-10 meters (25-30 feet).

The current fissure is located on the outer flanks of the volcano (as opposed towards the caldera floor). This is why the lava, once flowing, slopes down the volcano.

When fissures are small (short), eruptions are prolonged because lava has a small area of escape. This is why 1995’s eruption lasted almost 4 months. Then, once the small fissure opened, a spatter cone was formed and it held the molten rock as the eruption continued (pretty much like a very active melting pot of the most orange/red gravy you’ll ever see). A month later, the walls of the cone broke, and the lava started flowing to the coastline. It took one week for the lava to reach the ocean.

When fissures are long (like that of the current eruption) the eruption tends to be short, since all the molten rock has a long area to escape. The flows did run for about 7 Km (4.5 miles) but not enough material to reach the shoreline. The flows stopped about 5 Km (3 miles) from the coast.

The crust of these lava flows cools off rather slowly, and it creates an isolating layer. Underneath, lava continues liquid for at least one more month until it totally cools off.

If you want to know more about past eruptions on Fernandina, click: http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1503-01=&VErupt=Y&VSources=Y&VRep=Y&VWeekly=N&volpage=var#bgvn_2001

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Is an eruption dangerous? By all means. All eruptions are dangerous. Nevertheless, there are eruptions less dangerous than others, like those of island volcanos. These are not too explosive.

What happens with plant and animal wildlife of the island? Nothing survives the force of a lava flow. The main reason is the high temperature (t can be as hot as 2,000°C). Eruptions are normal processes in island biology. They are inevitable and hard to predict when they wll occur.

Is it good to have eruptions? Certainly. Eruptions should be looked like a “cleaning evolutionary mechanism”. Although, nothing survives, this new land allows natural replacement of species (i.e.: climax versus pioneers). It is at this level where natural selection acts on those who survive and those who arrive.

Are ship’s itineraries modified? Very likely. The Galapagos National Park allows ships to modify their itineraries in order to witness the uniqueness of a Galapagos eruption. Best viewing hours are in total darkness. The best, perhaps, is to get up at 04h30, watch the eruption colors, the lava flowing, and little by little the arrival of the new day at sunrise. The powerful and colossal volcano will finally reveal its face.

Why are there so many clouds when the lava reaches the water? The abrupt temperature change cools off lava almost immediately, but the high temperature of the lava evaporates sea water at super sonic speeds. These clouds are 90% water vapor, and 10% volcanic gas.

How long will the eruption last? Hard to say. What the M/V Santa Cruz and Yacht Isabela II Galapagos Cruises witnessed over the weekend is a sign that eruptions are the hardest things to forecast. For example, the M/V Santa Cruz Galapagos Cruise saw the flows at 04h00 on Saturday May 14th, the Yacht Isabela II Galapagos Cruise saw very little activity on Sunday evening, May 15th. The main fissure has ceased all volcanic activity. As the lava continues to slowly move under the already formed crust, some may break out and it would seem that eruption continues. This can probably be seen for the next two weeks. Due to the massiveness of Fernandina, and the location of where the ship may be, these localized bursts will be invisible to the naked eye.

Where can I see a radial or circumferential fissure? If you visited Genovesa Island (Tower), the walk at Prince Philip Steps has a distinct area where we normally stop the groups to look for the short-eared owl. We normally sit in minute hills in front of a large crack that runs forever. The crack is only 2-3 meters wide (7-10 feet). This crack is a radial fissure. Several examples of circumferential fissures can be found along Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island.

When will the next eruption be? We wish we knew. It is impossible to determine exactly when it will happen. Island volcanos give very little warnings. Plus, these are very fast events. The Galapagos volcanos, however, have eruptions every 6 years.

If there is no eruption, is the volcano dead? Never. Geologists say…”there is no such thing as an extinct volcano”. And they are right. There are volcanos that have been “dormant” for hundreds of years, and suddenly produce a catastrophic explosion (for example, Montserrat in the Caribbean). What is true is that volcanos that are found in an active area, and have not erupted in historic times, carry the biggest threats and worst consequences. Any volcano can become reactivated. Galápagos examples of activity (without permanent eruptions) include, Sierra Negra, Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Roca Redonda, and in the continent we include, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Antisana, Cotacachi, Sangay, Sumaco, among others.

ALL INFORMATION COMPILED BY FRANCISCO DOUSDEBES, GALAPAGOS EXPEDITION MANAGER

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Eric Castro asked:


What is it that makes Galapagos islands so amazing during September?? Being this month the peak of the Dry Season, a lot of unusual features are seen within the islands’ environment.? For example, who would expect a barren and desert-like habitat in the middle of the tropics, or who would expect animals not found in other tropical places thriving so well amidst volcanic islands?? For those that take the plunge and see the underwater wonders of the Galapagos islands Marine Reserve (largest one in America), you will be surrounded by tropical and subtropical species of fish, sea lions and penguins…where else on Earth can you encounter this?? While on land, September offers our guests unique events such as the pupping season for sea lions, blue-footed boobies with chicks in their nests, albatrosses with juveniles, migrant birds from northern latitudes, and due to the presence of cool waters the highest chances of encountering cetaceans (dolphins and whales).?

The dry weather makes walking on the islands quite pleasant, as temperatures reach levels no higher than 24?C-26?C (75?F-79?F).? Water temperature averages at 20?C (68?F) and if you want to feel more comfortable in the water (and of course, stay longer) we recommend that you bring with you a shortie wet suit.? Days tend to start cloudy, but the thin layer of clouds usually disipates by mid morning as the heat of the sun burns off such low moisture clouds.? Wind is common through this month, and seas are moderately strong (windbreaker, long sleeve shirts or sweatshirts will make you feel comfortable).? September is a wonderful month to be in Galapagos islands.? Nature enthusiasts, wildlife connoiseurs, photographers, families, and all will experience the most amazing tropical desert, no matter how bizarre this oxymoron sounds. Historically, September is also the time we conmmeorate Charles Darwin’s visit aboard the H.M.S Beagle, which dates back to 1835.? In September the travelers will surely leave Galapagos islands satisfied.

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Overall natural events:

Peak of the dry (gar?a) season

The air temperature reaches its lowest levels at night (19?C-66?F)

Galapagos islands Penguins show remarkable activity on Bartolom?. Swimmers and snorkelers will be delighted with penguins active at the surface or torpedo-like while underwater.

? Sea lions are very active. Females have reached estrus stage, and so harem-gathering males are constantly barking and fighting. Shore fighting is heavy. Western and central islands are the most active ones in terms of sea lions’ activities.

? Most species of sea birds remain quite active at their nesting sites.? Common encounters with dolphins and whales.

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Eric Castro asked:


September 7th, 1835: H.M.S. Beagle set sail from Callao, Peru, to the Galapagos Archipelago. About eight days later, o ff in the distance, the island of San Cristobal Island showed a high volcanic peak as evidence of arrival. They young Englishman had arrived to one of Earth’s most pristine areas: the Galapagos. For a period of five weeks the HMS Beagle sails in Galapagos waters under the command of Captain Robert Fitzroy. Their mission: to survey isolated places hardly visited by navigators. This list of places includes Cape Horn, Australia & New Zealand, Galapagos, Tahiti, and more.

Young Charles Darwin spent only two weeks ashore, and it was enough time for him to catch a glimpse of what is natural selection. Little did he know, it would take him almost 25 years after his Galapagos visit, to publish the book The Origin of Species. Scientific thinking was to change forever, as Darwinian principles now dominate virtually any field of study.

Our ships decided to take part of this celebration, and 170 years later, our Galapagos Naturalists included during briefings a small excerpt of C. Darwin’s visit to the islands, matching that particular day.

Upon landing on September 15th, 1835… H.M.S. Beagle reached Hood Island today. Early in the morning Edward Chaffers (master) and Arthur Mellersh (midshipman) set out on a boat to examine the island’s shoreline. By noon another boat was launched to survey the central islands of the archipelago. Later in the afternoon H.M.S. Beagle reached Chatham Island. Darwin was intrigued by the black lava rocky shore, and raw hostile environment of the island.

These days, our guests get to learn more insights about Charles Darwin. Clearly, our intention is to share a very important subject with our visitors; one that blends history, amazement and discovery.

The HMS Beagle sailed away from Galapagos after a glooming sunset in October 20th, 1835. Aboard our ships, our Expedition Staff will thoroughly cover throughout September and October what Charles Darwin’s visit to Galápagos must have been like, back in 1835.

Certainly, this is an anniversary that commemorates a voyage that brought Darwin to what would become later, his greatest source of inspiration, and evolutionary evidence.

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Eric Castro asked:


January 04 1837

This was a big day for Darwin. Today he gave his first speech before the Royal Geological Society in London. He was very nervous! All the experts in geology were there and this was Darwin’s big chance to prove himself to his peers. The topic of his paper was on the gradual raising of South America over eons of time. He concluded that as land masses raise upward, the nearby ocean floor subsides, and that the animals on the raising continent somehow or another adapt to these very slow changes (at this time Darwin had no idea how this happened). This theory represented a shift away from Lyell’s theory which stated that animals cannot adapt, but rather die out and are replaced with new species. This was one of the earliest signs that Darwin was beginning to develop his own theories, going beyond his mentors. The speech, by the way, was received very well by nearly all the geologists there.

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Eric Castro asked:


If you live in northern latitudes, say higher than 30°N, chances are you are not expecting warm days now, right? Well, escaping the cold, and heading for warm days, seems to be the trend worldwide. Of course, Galápagos is not just one more tropical destination. It is one of the most amazing National Parks and Marine Reserve, where the best wildlife encounters happen. But, really what makes Galápagos so special in these months? Here are some expedition highlights for you to consider, and remember, they only happen at this time of the year.

The last month of the year, and the first month of the new year, are some of the best transition months in Galápagos. The weather has changed, and the islands’ waters have warmed up, vegetation has started to become green, and wildlife is adapting to such changes. Land-depending species become quite active as their breeding starts, while that of the sea-depending species starts to slow down. Galápagos land birds, including Darwin’s finches, have started to reproduce. Watch how their courtship and nesting happens. There are only four months of the year that can be called transitional months: December, January, April and May. These months are worth calling “Satisfaction guaranteed”.

Our rewarding itineraries include outstanding sites like Bartolomé, Genovesa, Santa Cruz, Española, Isabela, and Fernandina. Right here, and more so at this time of the year, snorkel next to the only tropical penguin on Earth, witness the amazing courtship of the great frigatebirds, see giant tortoises roaming the volcanic landscape of Galápagos, walk among blue-footed boobies, plunge next to young sea lions which are just learning to swim, and explore the shores where the most numerous colony of marine iguanas are found.

Enjoy the arrival of the warm waters from the north. Snorkel and swim next to penguins and sea lions with no need to freeze in the water. Tropical fishes abound too. December and January’s weather is quite remarkable, as most days are sunny, but not overwhelmingly hot. Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. It is all picture perfect.

Marine iguanas have just developed the most colorful mix of colors for a reptile: emerald green, red and black. Best sightings happen at Española, Santa Cruz, and Fernandina Islands. Observe how males establish ownership by acting territorial to other individuals. Land iguanas on Isabela Island have developed bright yellow colors, which next to light brown and reddish blotches, make these reptiles the most attractive of the arid zone. Their mating season has just started. Green sea turtles show the highest curiosity of the year to snorkelers. Best locations to look for this unique behavior includes Bartolomé and Fernandina Islands.

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Eric Castro asked:


The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) and the Ecuadorian Association of Galapagos Tour Operators (ASOGAL) have undertaken a campaign to promote the best training and coaching both in natural history and languages, for the Galapagos Naturalist Guides. Metropolitan Touring fully supports this campaign. Metropolitan Touring’s guides are Naturalists, who have undergone a thorough process of selection and training and are constantly improving their skills under the direction of the ship’s Expedition Managers and the “in-situ” coaching by our Galápagos Expedition Manager.

Our team of Naturalist Guides is formed by 12 full-time exclusive Metropolitan Touring guides plus a team of free-lancers, that are constantly being trained by our staff on board, in order to achieve the Galapagos Expedition Experience that we want to convey to our guests. We are eagerly awaiting the next promotion of Galapagos Naturalist Guides who will complete their studies and internship at the Galapagos National Park by the end of January 2006. The best ones are to be incorporated to our Galápagos team. During the first three quarters of 2005, guest satisfaction rates with the Galapagos Expedition component show 95.57% for the MV SANTA CRUZ Galapagos Cruise and 98.92% for Yacht ISABELA II Galapagos Cruise. We are proud of our Expedition Staff!

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