History of the Galapagos Islands
Geologic History
The Galapagos Islands are located on the Nazca tectonic plate. This continuously shifting plate is moving eastward over the Galapagos hot spot and, through time, has formed the archipelago. The islands were made by the layering and lifting of recurring volcanic action. This movement is associated to the age of the islands, as the more eastern islands (San Cristóbal and Española) are millions of years older than the more western islands (Isabela and Fernandina). Most of the islands are a cone-like shape that is often correlated with volcanic activity. The mountainous islands have been developed through ongoing eruption. Because of this volcanic formation, the islands are distinguished by steep slopes and volcanic rock. Each major island (except the biggest island, Isabela) is made of a single large volcano. Isabela was created when six volcanoes joined together above sea level. Geologically, the archipelago is quite young, probably no more than five million years old. Some of the more western islands, which are the most volcanically active, could only be hundreds of thousands of years old and are still being created through volcanic action.
“History of Galápagos | Galápagos Conservancy.” Galápagos Conservancy, 30 May 2022, www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/history/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Species In The Galapagos
About five to ten million years ago, the tops of some Galapagos volcanoes appeared above the water for the first time. They originally had no plants and no animals. All of the plants and animals on the archipelago must have arrived somehow. The Galapagos Islands are quite unbalanced in their flora and fauna. For example, there are many native reptile species, but no amphibians, and there are many bird species, but scarcely any mammals. With flora, there are almost no plants with big flowers and seeds, but there are an abundance of grass-like plants. There are two major ways the animals and plants got to the archipelago, not including any human help. First, the species could get there by air (fly by means of the wind), and second, they could get there by sea (swimming or floating, sometimes on a raft of floating plants). It is probable that the ancestors of species native to the galapagos that are good swimmers actually swam to the islands. It is also said that some mammals and a lot of the reptiles were carried on rafts of floating vegetation. This speculation would explain why there are so many reptiles, only a small amount of mammals, and no native amphibians on the archipelago. Sea birds likely flew to the islands, and wind was the main transportation of seeds.
“History of Galápagos | Galápagos Conservancy.” Galápagos Conservancy, 30 May 2022, www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/history/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Charles Darwin and the Galapagos Islands
Out of every scientist to visit the islands, Charles Darwin was by far the most significant and influential. After convincing Captain Robert FitzRoy of the HMS Beagle to take him, he tagged along on a charting journey around South America. From mid September to mid October of 1835, Darwin collected biological and geological specimens and data from the islands. During his visit, Darwin did not realize the significance of the islands, and only presented the ideas afterwards. He observed three different species of mockingbirds on different islands, watched finches, and studied the Galapagos tortoises. He also gathered many geological specimens. After realizing the significance of the islands, he relied on his crewmates' collections, as he had inadequately labeled his own. His book, On The Origin of Species was very influential to the way we understand evolution. The book explains the transmutations of species and a principle called natural selection. All of his arguments opposed the theory of "Special Creation," the explanation of the distribution of species at the time. His idea of this, which he deemed "natural selection," told how species adapted to keep specific traits that helped them survive well. He found that the finches' beaks adapted and eventually created new species of finches. This theory is famous throughout the world, and is taught in many schools. The Galapagos Islands get over 250,000 tourists each year, all of them wanting to learn about their amazing history and unique species. Darwin and his theory of natural selection changed the Galapagos Islands and the world forever.
“History of Galápagos | Galápagos Conservancy.” Galápagos Conservancy, 30 May 2022, www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/history/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
“Travelling Responsibly - Galapagos Conservation Trust.” Galapagos Conservation Trust, 16 Sept. 2024, galapagosconservation.org.uk/about-galapagos/travelling-responsibly/. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
