The famous Darwin's Arch collapsed in the Galapagos Islands - video

One of the symbols of the Galapagos Islands, Darwin’s Arch, has ceased to exist. As a result of ongoing erosion, the magnificent rock formation collapsed and partially disappeared under water.

Yesterday, on 17 May 2021, Ecuador’s environment ministry announced that Darwin’s Arc has been destroyed. The monumental symbol of the Galapagos Islands has for years delighted tourists and provided a wonderful landmark for travellers.

-- Advertisement --

The arch was located about 1 km southeast of Darwin Island. This is an uninhabited and northernmost island of the Galapagos archipelago. Interestingly, there was once a land connection between the arch and the island.

The area around Darwin’s Island is considered to be one of the best places in the world for diving. That is why every year tourists and enthusiasts come here to observe sharks and many other animal species. The uniqueness of the local fauna and the beauty of the underwater world make the region a true pearl and a sanctuary for the natural environment.

Both the rock arch and the island are named after the great British naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin. The scientist and founder of the theory of evolution explored the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands from his ship the Beagle.

Next up after Azure Window

Unlike the rock arch The Azure Window on the Island of Gozo, the Darwin Arch did not collapse in its entirety. Two columns still remain on the surface. There is also an 18-metre high viewing platform next to one of them.

Diver Jason Borkland of Fins Attached Marine Research & Conservation was on board the research vessel Sharkwater the day before the Darwin Arch collapsed. He posted photos of the then intact arch and described them as “probably the last images of the iconic symbol”.

The area around Darwin’s Arch is probably the most famous dive site in the Galapagos Islands. The trip here has always been the highlight of the diving trips and something everyone looks forward to.

Although there is no longer an arch in its original formbut we can certainly expect that the place will not lose its popularity. Soon we will probably also start to see pictures from under the water, documenting how the situation looks now.