(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) A volcano on the Galapagos Island archipelago that had been dormant for more than 30 years erupted Monday, the Ecuadoran Ministry of Environment said, according to dpa.
The eruption began at 1:30 am (0730 GMT) on the 1,707-metre-high Wolf
Volcano on Isabela Island, the ministry said. The eruption sent lava
flowing down the south-eastern slope of the mountain.
No one lives near the volcano, and the wildlife that is there is out
of danger, the ministry said in a statement.
The world's only colony of pink iguanas are among the animals living
on the island. The ministry said they live on the north-west side of
the volcano and are not expected to be affected. Yellow iguanas and
giant tortoises that also live on the north side of the volcano have
not been endangered by the eruption, the ministry said.
Officials with the Galapagos National Park assessed the situation
based on photographs. A fly-over was planned later.
The ministry also said tours of Isabela Island remain in operation.
The volcano, which last erupted in 1982, is the largest in the
Galapagos archipelago. It is 115 kilometers south of the nearest
town, Puerto Villamil.
The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean about 1,000
kilometres off the coast of Ecuador. They were named a World Heritage
Cultural Site by UNESCO in 1978. Many animal and plant species are
found only on the island chain.
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