Wolf Volcano Erupts In Galapagos Islands, Rare Pink Iguanas May Be Threatened


Wolf volcano, located in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, erupted in the early hours of Monday morning, spewing forth smoke and lava and potentially threatening an exceedingly rare species of pink iguanas.

The volcano is located on Isabela Island and stands roughly 1.7-kilometers (1.1-miles) high, according to Yahoo News. While the island is inhabited, its sole population center is situated some 70 miles from the volcano, and experts assert that the eruption poses no danger to locals. Isabela Island also harbors the world’s only population of pink iguanas, though park authorities have stated that the animals are not in any immediate danger.

“The Wolf volcano is not located near a populated area. There is not risk for the human population. This is the only population of pink iguanas in the world,” Galapagos National Park asserted on Twitter.

Galapagos Park authorities also posted images that showed lava pouring down the side of the volcano while smoke billowed overhead. As the Galapagos’ highest point, the Wolf volcano has been inactive for 33 years.

Authorities expect the iguanas to escape harm, as the lava is flowing down the southern face of the volcano. The animals, meanwhile, inhabit the opposite side of the mountain, as the BBC reports, raising hopes that any effects from the event will be mitigated. The lava flow is likely to reach the sea, however, potentially endangering indigenous marine life. Authorities have also expressed concern that the ash cloud generated by the eruption could impact locals.

Earlier this month, another volcano erupted in Costa Rica, sending ash into the air over the capital, San Jose. As the Inquisitr previously reported, however, effects from the eruption were minimal, and only 13 flights at the local airport were canceled or delayed.

The eruption comes on the heels of several other volcanic events in Chile, also considered to be a part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” In addition, unusual seismic activity was recorded last month near the Sierra volcano, which is also located on Isabela Island in the Galapagos.

Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, the islands have been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Located just 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and home to several volcanoes aside from Wolf, the Galapagos are considered one of the most geologically active regions in the world.

[Image via Twitter]

Share this article: Wolf Volcano Erupts In Galapagos Islands, Rare Pink Iguanas May Be Threatened
More from Inquisitr