Galápagos Islands
Darwin's research destination
The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, about 600 miles west of Ecuador, to which they belong.
The islands are famous for their unique wildlife—giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies—found nowhere else on Earth.
Charles Darwin's observations there in 1835 helped shape his theory of evolution by natural selection.
We spent two weeks in the Galápagos.
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
- chartingRecording data visually
- seafaringTraveling by ocean vessel
navigators · buccaneers · whalers · logbook · specimens · natural history · scientific expedition · mapping
Enormous land chelonian
- marine iguanaSea-foraging Galápagos reptile
- Darwin's finchesAdaptive radiation example birds
- frigatebirdTropical seabird, steals prey
- sea turtleOcean-dwelling shelled reptile
Maintaining something's condition
- wildlife sanctuaryProtected area for animals
- national parkProtected land for conservation
- marine reserveProtected ocean habitat
- biodiversityRange of life forms
ecosystem protection · endangered species · habitat restoration · biosecurity · invasive species · ecotourism · rat control · sustainable tourism
British naturalist, species theorist
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
common ancestor · evolutionary biology · variation · survival · endemic species · morphology · ecological niche
Linked segments forming length
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- lagoonSheltered coastal shallows
- bayPartially enclosed water
- straitConstricted marine passage
maritime · seascape · Isabela · Santa Cruz · Española · Santiago
Erupted liquid stone
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- craterImpact or volcanic basin
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- calderaCollapsed volcanic summit basin
shield volcano · lava tubes · aa · fumarole · geothermal · volcanic rock · lava fields · volcanic soil
HMS Beagle
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- discoveryAct of finding something
- chartingRecording data visually
seafaring · navigators · buccaneers · whalers · logbook · specimens · natural history · scientific expedition · mapping · 1835
giant tortoise
Enormous land chelonian
- marine iguanaSea-foraging Galápagos reptile
- Darwin's finchesAdaptive radiation example birds
- frigatebirdTropical seabird, steals prey
preservation
Maintaining something's condition
- wildlife sanctuaryProtected area for animals
- national parkProtected land for conservation
- marine reserveProtected ocean habitat
biodiversity · ecosystem protection · endangered species · habitat restoration · biosecurity · invasive species · ecotourism · rat control · sustainable tourism · quarantine
Darwin
British naturalist, species theorist
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
divergence · common ancestor · evolutionary biology · variation · survival · endemic species · morphology · ecological niche
chain
Linked segments forming length
strait · maritime · seascape · Isabela · Santa Cruz · Española · Santiago
lava
Erupted liquid stone
caldera · shield volcano · lava tubes · aa · fumarole · geothermal · volcanic rock · lava fields · volcanic soil · barren landscape
Galápagos Islandsmainland
Principal connected territory
African continent · British Isles · land bridge · Pangaea · continental shelf
Galápagos Islandsindustrial zones
Areas designated for manufacturing
urban sprawl · Manhattan · Tokyo · strip mines · factory farms
Galápagos IslandsAntarctica
Southernmost continental landmass
Arctic · Siberia · Greenland · frozen tundra · polar ice caps