The Galapagos Islands
Geology and Life Zones
The Galapagos are volcanic islands, as evidenced by the barren volcanic landscapes visible in many places across the islands, as well as fumaroles and other volcanic activity in the Sierra Negra crater on Isabela. The original barren landscapes have given way to vegetation in most parts of the islands, but still influence the evolution of species that struggle to survive in a generally inhospitable land. The combination of elevation changes and differences in moisture on different sides of the islands lead to numerous life zones within the archipelago, from arid areas near the coasts to lush evergreen cloud forests.
