The western islands of the Galápagos Archipelago are formidable, being also the most remote. The elegant, majestic outlines of Fernandina and Isabela’s shield volcanoes stand tall around Canal Bolivar, which divides both islands. In the past few weeks, both islands have been erupting brand new red-hot lavas, adding to the already inhospitable environment few species have been able to colonize. Bearing the brunt of the cold Cromwell Undercurrent, the waters surrounding this area are very cold, allowing for the increased productivity that supports countless endemic marine iguanas and sea turtles.