Three large and strong sea currents influence the Galapagos marine life entering the archipelago constantly:
the Humboldt Current, the Panama Flow and the Cromwell Current
. The Humboldt and Cromwell Currents come up from the dark depths, carried with massive amounts of nutrients.
What are the threats to the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands face many environmental threats. Ecosystem degradation could be caused by:
climate change, deforestation, pollution, overfishing, eutrophication
and the introduction of invasive species.
How many ocean currents collide in Galapagos?
The Galapagos Islands are influenced by
three ocean currents
.
Are the Galapagos Islands Oceanic?
The Galapagos Mantle Plume
The Galapagos are a group
of volcanic islands
located on the equator roughly 1000 km (600 miles) west of the South American coast. Like many oceanic islands, such as Hawaii, the Azores, and Reunion, the Galapagos are thought to be the product of a mantle plume.
How does the Humboldt Current affect life in the Galapagos?
The Humboldt Current is
disrupted during el Niño years
, as it affects air pressure, decreases trade winds and causes warmer water to move east from the Western Pacific. With the Humboldt weakened, fish move elsewhere to feed and birds, sea lions and other Galapagos animals starve.
How many animals live in the Galapagos Islands?
Nearly 9,000 species
are found on the islands and their surrounding waters, many of them endemic. The total land mass is almost 8,000km
2
; the Galapagos Marine Reserve surrounding the archipelago is 138,000km
2
.
Why is the equatorial ocean around the Galapagos so cold?
Thus although the trade winds are blowing toward the equator, they push water away from it! Once again, the divergence in surface water allows deep water to rise to the surface. The oceans are thermally stratified, so that the
water rising from depth is colder than the surface water
.
Is Galapagos in danger?
The World Heritage Committee decided to remove the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) from the List of World Heritage Sites
in Danger
, despite IUCN ́s recommendation to the contrary. … “Threats from tourism, invasive species and overfishing are still factors and the situation in the Galapagos remains critical,” adds Badman.
What language do they speak in the Galapagos Islands?
The official language of the Galapagos Islands is
Spanish
.
Is it safe to swim in the Galapagos?
Most swimmers comfortable in the open water will
be able to take part and enjoy one of our Galapagos trips. Although swim locations and distances are provided, these are subject to change, depending on the weather and any changes issued by the National Park authorities.
Why is Galapagos so special?
The Galapagos Islands are
uniquely located on both sides of the equator
in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The islands are situated at a point in the Pacific Ocean where three ocean currents collide, creating a unique area in the sea where warm and varying degrees of cold water meet.
Who owns Galapagos?
Galapagos Islands, Spanish Islas Galápagos, officially Archipiélago de Colón (“Columbus Archipelago”), island group of the eastern Pacific Ocean, administratively a province of
Ecuador
.
What do you call someone from the Galapagos?
Even though the archipelago is a National Park, some of the biggest islands are not only home to the Galapagos flora and fauna, but to humans. … Locals of the islands are known as
galapagueños
and most of them came from the Ecuadorian mainland, and you will find they are simple, kind, and joyful people.
Which country is most affected by the Humboldt Current?
Named after the Prussian naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, the current originates in the southern tip of
Chile
and flows north to Peru and then west along the equator, bathing the Galapagos archipelago. The current has an impacting cooling influence in the climates of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Peru.
Why is the Humboldt Current so important?
The Humboldt Current is
a highly productive ecosystem
. It is the most productive eastern boundary current system. … The system’s high productivity supports other important fishery resources as well as marine mammals (eared seals and cetaceans) and seabirds.
Is Agulhas current warm or cold?
One of the fastest-flowing currents in any ocean, it reaches an estimated top speed of 5.8 miles (9.3 km) per hour off the southeast coast of South Africa. Because it is fed from lower latitudes, the Agulhas Current
is warm
, ranging in temperature from 57 to 79 °F (14 to 26 °C) at the surface.
