Kategorie: News
Collapse of world famous rock formation
On May 18th, one of the most famous landmarks of the Galapagos Islands sank in stormy seas. The much-photographed Darwin's Arch was no longer able to withstand the constant stress of the onrushing seas. The strong erosive forces have now caused the massive arch to collapse.
The Galapagos Islands, 563 miles (906 km) west of mainland Ecuador, are a Unesco World Heritage Site known worldwide for its unique diversity of plants and animals. The archipelago consists of 234 islands, bays and rocks. About 30,000 people live on four of them. Tourists from all over the world travel there to see the biodiversity of the islands, which inspired Darwin to write his theory of evolution.
Immediately, memories also come back to March 2017, when it was said that the Azure Window had collapsed. In stormy seas, the landmark of the small Mediterranean state sank into the sea with a thunderous roar, leaving only a pile of stones from this beautiful natural arch. Over the years, the Azure Window has evolved into a beautiful dive site with the new name Azure Boulders. Only time will tell how the situation at Darwin's Arch will evolve.
Collapse of a famous rock formation
A famous rock formation off the Galapagos Islands known as Darwin's Arch has collapsed. Ecuador's Environment Ministry said it was due to "natural erosion." "The collapse of Darwin's Arch, the attractive natural bridge located less than a kilometer from the main area of Darwin Island, was reported to us yesterday," the ministry said. The formation, named after English biologist Charles Darwin, is considered a top dive site. The stone natural arch was one of the most famous photo motifs of Galapagos and a fixed port of call for all Galapagos round trips or safari tours at the archipelago.
Top Dive Site
Darwin Arch is probably the most impressive dive site you can find in Galapagos. The dive starts on a ledge at about 15m depth and from here you can easily watch the marine life swim by from a protected position in the rocks - hammerhead and Galapagos sharks, blacktip sharks and silky sharks. Sea turtles abound and dolphins often hover over divers. Huge schools of fish, tuna, spiny mackerel and Creole fish swim in the blue of the sea, while dozens of other species live on the coral-covered platform and ledges. This is also the realm of the largest shark of all, the whale shark. Between June and December you have the best chance to observe adult whale sharks.
More information:
Divesite Darwins Arch
Galapagos beneath the Surface