Roca Redonda

Roca Redonda
Highest point
Elevation 67 m (220 ft)
Prominence 67 m (220 ft)
Coordinates 0°16′N 91°38′W / 0.27°N 91.63°W / 0.27; -91.63Coordinates: 0°16′N 91°38′W / 0.27°N 91.63°W / 0.27; -91.63 
Geography
Location Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Geology
Mountain type Shield volcano
Last eruption Unknown

Roca Redonda is a flat-topped, steep-sided islet located roughly 25 km (16 mi) northwest of the island of Isabela, in the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. It measures 100 m (330 ft) long and 50 m (160 ft) wide with a maximum elevation of 67 m (220 ft).[1] Its isolation and inaccessibility coupled with its rocky cliffs riddled with crevices and crossed by ledges has made Roca Redonda a haven for nesting seabirds.[2]

This small volcanic island is the remains of a large shield volcano that has vastly eroded away below sea level. Potassium–argon dating of Roca Redonda indicates that the islet is at least 53,000 +/- 54,000 years old.[1] However, it remains unknown when the last eruption occurred from the shield volcano. Several shallow submarine fumaroles exist around the island and may indicate that the volcano is still active.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Roca Redonda". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  2. ↑ Hess, John (2009). The Galápagos: Exploring Darwin's Tapestry. University of Missouri Press. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-8262-1837-7.
  3. ↑ "The emergence of a Galápagos shield volcano, Roca Redonda". Springer-Verlag.
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