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The Galapagos Archipelago: An Active Environment of Geologic Splendor Overview The Galapagos Archipelago, frequently termed Darwin's Islands, steam with geologic activity of the past and present. Located 600 miles from the nearest shore, the islands have an abundance of biological and geological phenomenon. The Galapagos Islands are one of only a handful of "hotspots" located on Earth. A hotspot is the product of a mantle plume extending from deep within the mantle and pooling beneath the Earth?s crust. This mantle plume erects volcanic islands, causes earthquakes and warps the crust forming what we call the Galapagos Platform.
The Galapagos Islands form in a region that has numerous other active tectonic processes, such as the Galapagos Spreading Center and the South American subduction zone. The physical contact between these dynamic geologic processes have produced fascinating geologic features, such as the Cocos and Carnegie Ridges. This guide will give you a step-by-step discussion of the geologic processes that have created and continue to form the Galapagos Archipelago and the region that surround it.
Primary Author: Bree Burdick
Contributing Authors: Emilie Hooft-Toomey, Darwin Villagomez
Edited By: Emilie Hooft-Toomey and Douglas R. Toomey
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