LA CUMBRE VOLCANO AND
GALÁPAGOS LAND IGUANAS – GEOGRAPHY
News: Lava spewing from volcano on
Galápagos Islands destroying habitat of rare land iguanas
What's in the news?
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Recent volcanic activity from La Cumbre volcano on
the Galápagos Islands has led to the destruction of habitat for rare land
iguanas.
La Cumbre Volcano:
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It is situated on Fernandina Island, the third largest island in the Galápagos
archipelago.
Geological Significance:
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Positioned directly atop the mantle plume or
hotspot responsible for the formation of all Galápagos Islands.
Distance:
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Located approximately 1,125 kilometers off the
coast of mainland Ecuador and experienced its first eruption since 2020.
Crater Features:
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Boasts a sizable
crater or caldera at its summit, housing a permanent crater lake.
Ecological Importance:
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The caldera lake serves as a habitat for various wildlife, including tens of thousands of
Galápagos land iguanas that lay their eggs within it.
Galápagos Land Iguanas:
Endemic Species:
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One of three land iguana species exclusive to the
Galápagos Islands, alongside the Santa Fe land iguana and the Galapagos pink
land iguana.
Physical
Characteristics:
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A large lizard belonging to the family Iguanidae,
primarily herbivorous in nature.
Mutualistic
Relationship:
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Often seen hosting
finches on their backs, which aid in removing
ticks from between their scales.
Behaviour:
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Diurnal in nature, spending daylight hours foraging or basking on
rocks, while resting in burrows at night.
IUCN Conservation Status - Vulnerable.