A volcano in the archipelago on a Galapagos island erupted

The La Cumbre volcano, located on the uninhabited island of Fernandina in the Galapagos archipelago, has erupted again, according to the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute. The state agency reported that last night “a thermal anomaly and a gas emission” were detected that indicated the beginning of an eruptive process in La Cumbre, which has a height of 1,463 meters.  Although the eruption generated a cloud of gas, no significant ash emission was recorded, and the wind was responsible for dispersing it without affecting nearby populations, such as the neighboring island of Isabela, where there are human settlements. Videos shared on social media confirmed the eruption, showing a circumferential fissure on the volcano’s southern flank, from which incandescent lava flowed. For its part, the local airport reported that the sky of western Galapagos dawned red due to the volcano’s activity and shared images showing rivers of lava descending the slopes of La Cumbre. Despite the natural phenomenon, it was assured that the eruption does not affect airport operations. The Summit has experienced eruptions several times in the past, including once in 2020, underscoring active volcanic activity in the region. The Galapagos, located about 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador, is known for its unique biological diversity and historical significance as the place where Charles Darwin developed his theory of the evolution of species. The island is part of the biosphere reserve and is home to extraordinary flora and fauna.

Original source in Spanish