Southern Isabela Island
This morning found us at Urbina bay, which is located at the western flank of Alcedo volcano. This spectacular place was uplifted 12-14 feet in 1954. What you see now is a completely different landscape. The vegetation did not take long to establish itself because rich organic matter had decomposed on the soil to form suitable conditions for plant growth.
Along the trail we shared encounters with Galápagos land iguanas and a few giant tortoises. After the walk we had the opportunity to enjoy some swimming in the clear cool waters off Urbina bay.
During lunch our Captain repositioned the ship towards Punta Moreno for our second outing; this time we disembarked on an enormous pahoehoe lava field located in between two volcanoes: Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. The latest one happens to be erupting at this very moment. As we were leaving the bay the bridge officers spotted an orange glow at the distance.
Once in range and with the help of night falling, we all enjoyed this spectacular, effusive volcanic eruption. We also noticed that the lava was not emanating from its central caldera anymore, but from a radial fissure located at its eastern flank.
It has been an incredible day. We are feeling very lucky to have witnessed a natural event as incredible as the one we saw this evening.
This morning found us at Urbina bay, which is located at the western flank of Alcedo volcano. This spectacular place was uplifted 12-14 feet in 1954. What you see now is a completely different landscape. The vegetation did not take long to establish itself because rich organic matter had decomposed on the soil to form suitable conditions for plant growth.
Along the trail we shared encounters with Galápagos land iguanas and a few giant tortoises. After the walk we had the opportunity to enjoy some swimming in the clear cool waters off Urbina bay.
During lunch our Captain repositioned the ship towards Punta Moreno for our second outing; this time we disembarked on an enormous pahoehoe lava field located in between two volcanoes: Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. The latest one happens to be erupting at this very moment. As we were leaving the bay the bridge officers spotted an orange glow at the distance.
Once in range and with the help of night falling, we all enjoyed this spectacular, effusive volcanic eruption. We also noticed that the lava was not emanating from its central caldera anymore, but from a radial fissure located at its eastern flank.
It has been an incredible day. We are feeling very lucky to have witnessed a natural event as incredible as the one we saw this evening.
