VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN GALAPAGOS

On Saturday 22 October at 5.30pm (local time), Sierra Negra volcano in the southern part of Isabela Island in Galapagos erupted.

Initial reports indicate that there are three lava flows on the northern side of the volcano. Two of the flows are moving in a north-east direction and the other in a north-west direction. We believe that one lava flow has already reached the sea.

Currently the eruption is not a threat to the people of Puerto Villamil but the Galapagos National Park and the local authorities are monitoring the situation constantly - both on the island and by a satellite belonging to the Military Geographical Institute (IGM).

According to Park Wardens and the IGM, the smoke column is about 20 km high but as the wind is blowing in a south-west direction it is unlikely that ash will fall on Puerto Villamil.

In order to ensure the safety of the people of Puerto Villamil, and any visiting tourists, the Galapagos National Park has closed access to the visitor sites known as Chico volcano and La Bocanilla which are on the rim of Sierra Negra volcano.

GCT Chairman, Nigel Sitwell, said today "Of course, we are concerned for the safety of the people of Puerto Villamil, and for the safety of all our colleagues from the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Foundation who are monitoring the situation. We are also concerned about the potential environmental impact. Sierra Negra has its own race of Galapagos giant tortoise and the population numbers are not high - about 500. The giant tortoise populations of Isabela have already been seriously affected by introduced non-native species, and further potential mortalities can only have a detrimental affect."

Nigel pointed out that the potential environmental damage would not be confined to giant tortoises. "Apart from these large animals, the habitat around Sierra Negra is home to seven species of Darwin finches as well as Galapagos hawks, short eared owls, and important growths of scalesia plants."

In September 1998, the neighbouring volcano of Cerro Azul erupted. During that eruption the Galapagos National Park decided to airlift a number of Galapagos giant tortoises to the safety of the captive breeding centre at Villamil, in southern Isabela.

The Galapagos Conservation Trust's website will be updated as further news is received.

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