Dramatic Changes to the Geology of the Galapagos Rift
The Galapagos Rift is an incredibly active geologic center, and its landscape changes very quickly. Many of the original hydrothermal vent sites from the first discoveries in 1977 and 1979 have been destroyed by fresh lava flow. Even vent sites first seen in 2004 are gone, paved over by new pillow lava.
Galapagos Rift Exploration
The E/V Nautilus will spend several weeks exploring the Galapagos Rift region. The Galápagos Islands have been instrumental in the establishment of the biological theory of evolution, gaining insights to our knowledge of the chemistry of the Earth’s interior, and understanding the plate tectonic evolution of the eastern Pacific seafloor. In 1835 Charles Darwin visited the islands aboard the HMS Beagle and made fundamental biological and geological observations in the area.
Galapagos Rift
The E/V Nautilus will spend several weeks exploring the Galapagos Rift region. The Galápagos Islands have been instrumental in the establishment of the biological theory of evolution, gaining insights to our knowledge of the chemistry of the Earth’s interior, and understanding the plate tectonic evolution of the eastern Pacific seafloor.
