Isabela Island is one of the youngest islands that we have in the archipelago, as it is over the Galapagos hot spot. The last eruption was in 1998, and occurred through a lateral vent on "Cerro Azul", a volcano whose name translates as the "Blue Hill". It was great to see the wonderful things that our Mother Earth can produce. Being born in the islands, and having traveled around them my whole life, I have been lucky enough to witness four spectacular eruptions, which are the most awe-inspiring events one can ever hope to see.
Fernandina Island, the youngest one in Galapagos at 300 000 years of age, last erupted in 1995, and it was truly an incredible sight to see the lava rivers pouring down the volcano slopes to the coast. It would then tumble into the ocean like a waterfall, and produce a great quantity of steam. In fact that time we were so close that we could feel the temperature of the water rise around us. It's very difficult to predict eruptions, so it could either be tomorrow or maybe in a million years that we can have a new one. And I will try to be there. Maybe you will too!
Today, at Punta Vicente Roca, we had a beautiful boat ride. We saw sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, and big waves. The landscapes that this volcano offers us are unique. We rode our Zodiacs inside a cave eroded into the soft tuff by wave action over the years. This beautiful panorama can be seen in the picture, with the cave in the background. We went as far inside the cave as the conditions would allow us, and saw some blue footed boobies inside. It was an unforgettable experience.
