GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Pinta,
Marchena & Genovesa
are three small islets in the northern group of islands in the Galapagos.
Genovesa,
known as Tower Island, is a fascinating island both geologically and
biologically. Curiously, the chemistry of its lavas is virtually identical
to lavas that erupt at mid-ocean ridges (a magma type called MORB, or
mid-ocean-ridge-basalt) and quite different from most oceanic island
lavas.
Genovesa
is an ornithographer's dream. Nesting birds may be seen there, including
masked boobies, red-footed boobies, Galapagos owls, frigates, swallow-tail
gulls, lava herons, and the rare lava gulls. Also to be seen there are
sea lions and fur seals. The fur seal, actually a species of sea lion
rather than a true seal, was nearly hunted to extinction by the early
part of the twentieth century, but has recovered.
Visitor Sites:
Darwin Bay
ePrince Philip's Steps
Marchena,
or Bindloe is a large shield volcano. Marchena, too, has lavas like
Genovesa -- similar to those of mid-ocean ridge basalts. It's an interesting
geological formation.
Marchena has had a lot of volcanic activity, though there is only one
known eruption which occurred in 1992. Marchena has a caldera, like
many islands. Marchena's caldera, however, has been almost completely
filled with young lavas, some of which has spilled over and down the
sides. The oldest lavas are 500,000 years old.
Marchena is rather desolate and has no fresh water and hence has never
been settled, and its flora and fauna have not been disturbed by feral
animals or introduced plants. Except for diving in the waters around
it, it is off-limits to tourists and is therefore seldom visited. Tortoises
have apparently never inhabited Marchena.
Visitor Sites:
None -- off limits to visitors
Pinta
is the third islet in the northern group of islands. Its lava is different
from that of Marchena and Genovesa. Pinta's most famous inhabitant was
Lonesome George. Due to whaling ships and buccanneers, many tortoise
populations were destroyed. The introduction of goats on Pinta was probably
the straw that broke the camel's back leaving one Pinta tortoise (as
far as we know) in this world. Lonesome George is the last Pinta tortoise.
(Yes, it sounds like a bad country western song, but its true). For
years, scientists hoped to find him a mate, but alas, George is destined
to life as a bachelor, and when he goes, so does his race. Now we are
more concientious about the environment, but due to a careless past,
another animal will become extinct. You can now visit Lonely George
at the Charles Darwin Research station on Santa Cruz island.
FAUNA
Boobies
Frigates
Storm Petrels
Tropic Birds
Sea Lions
Hammerhead Sharks
Short-eared Owls
FAUNA
Croton Bushes
Lava Cactus
Palo Santo
Muyuyo Forest
Saltbrush
ACTIVITIES
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Telephone: +57 1 7456019
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