Volcano Erupts on Galapagos Islands

[G_j]

Source: AP

AP
Posted: 2008-05-31 11:33:13
Filed Under: Science News, World News

QUITO, Ecuador (May 31) - A volcano on the largest of the Galapagos Islands has begun erupting and authorities are evaluating possible dangers to the island's famed plant and animal life, officials said Friday.

Rangers and tour guides spotted lava flowing down the northeastern flank of the Cerro Azul volcano on the seahorse-shaped island of Isabela late Thursday, the Galapagos National Park said in a statement.

Ecuador's Geophysics Institute said that satellite data and a flyover of the island by park officials showed a "small amount of ash" coming out of the volcano, located on the southwestern edge of the island.

Park official Oscar Carvajal told Radio Quito that as many as four lava flows "have consumed a lot of vegetation," but do not pose a threat to the famed Galapagos tortoises.

Neither was the eruption endangering people on the island, park official Vinicio Pauta said.

The 5,600-foot Cerro Azul - one of five active volcanoes on the island - last erupted in September 1998, causing minor damage to plant life. Cerro Azul is located in the unpopulated southwestern corner of the island.

..more..

Read more: http://news.aol.com/story/_a/volcano-erupts-on-galapagos-islands/20080531092409990002?icid=100214839x1203137831x1200129589

[Pavulon]

1. Hopefully it will spare the turtles and

slowly, so no one is injured, wipe out the city there. Sustainable development is a contradiction.

Pick everyone up except people required to run the place and move them back to Ecuador.

[TheWraith]

2. I'm sure the people whose homes would be destroyed appreciate your thoughts.

And if I wanted to burn down your house to let it go back to nature, you'd be okay with that, right?

[minnesota_liberal]

4. Arsonist vs Volcano: Not Quite the Same

But thanks for playing.

[bahrbearian]

6. 7 Billion humans and 200,000 thousand turtles,

I go with the turtle.

[Thothmes]

12. Even when their demise is at the hands

of a perfectly natural cause.

[bahrbearian]

13. Pollution is a natural cause?

[Thothmes]

32. Volcanos do not count as polution. They are a naturally

occuring event, that cannot be stopped.

[Taverner]

7. Misantrhopes never fail to amuse me

People who cheer the end of the human race.

[Malidictus Maximus]

9. Not the end of the human race

But hopefully the realization that we are just one of many species, with no particular divine right to wipe out otheres. A few billion fewer people would be a Good Thing. Doing my part: no kids.

[BreweryYardRat]

33. I don't like the sound of one sentence there...

"A few billion fewer people would be a Good Thing."

Please tell me you're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting...

[roguevalley]

10. I cheer the end of stupid actions by people. big difference. choose

between animal habitat, especially animals in this ecosystem and people, I choose animals. GO, TURTLES!

[Taverner]

18. Who speaks for Man - Sagan

And I would rather see us than the animals, thank you very much.

[bahrbearian]

14. Misantrhopes ? or people who love the Earth?

If we are
to survive, our loyalties must be
broadened further, to include the whole
human community, the entire planet
Earth. Many of those who run the nations
will find this idea unpleasant. They
will fear the loss of power. We will
hear much about treason and disloyalty.
Rich nation-states will have to share
their wealth with poor ones. But the
choice, as H. G. Wells once said in a
different context, is clearly the
universe or nothing."

--Carl Sagan

[Taverner]

17. The Earth AND the Human Community

Both MUST survive.

Which shapes my views on animal testing of medicines. If its them or us, my reply is "don't let the door hit ya..." to the animals. Thankfully, it doesn't have to come to that.

[bahrbearian]

19. There is no Must in the Equation.

Earth can maintain without humans, we can't survive with out the Earth.

[Pavulon]

23. Bingo

I am a pretty center of the road guy. I am not advocating. However any person who believes that the action of people in a closed system will not have an impact are wrong.

Galapagos is a perfect example. The damage we did there is measurable and clear. Development of habitat will disrupt and destroy species.

If we continue on this road we will do damage that causes events that impact humans, negatively.

people introduced goats, goats destroyed food, turtles dies. Collapsed established population.
Now helicopters and sharpshooters employed. As well as other efforts to kill them off.

[Taverner]

25. Yeah, but what good is it without us?

[Pavulon]

26. People vastly overplay their signifigance

we are great apes. We are self aware but not to the exclusion of that capability showing up in other animals.

We are animals and no more. We are capable of great and horrible things. If we manage not to destroy ourselves there is literally no limit to human capability.

We insignificant in the time line of history on this planet.

[Taverner]

27. No I don't - the world would SUCK to me without me here

And I guarantee the world would suck to you without you

If you think we humans are such a menace - why are you still alive?

[Pavulon]

28. You misunderstand

This is not about the value of human life mine or yours. It is about the place of people in the natural world. As part of intelligence people have come up with the idea they have a divine right to exist.

We do not, the idea that our death is more "important" to the system than that of a goldfish is absurd.

Just because we can change aspects the environment does not mean we should.

[Taverner]

29. My friend, nothing has a "place" - you just make one

The natural order to the universe is nothingness - the existence of matter alone disrupts the natural order.

All meaning is made and created - not predetermined

[Pavulon]

30. Perception

this can quickly turn into a topic that can cover hours. In my opinion humanity in not mature enough to grasp the concepts that govern the universe.

At some point our impact on this planet will require better management. Regardless of current climate discussion there will be more and more significant issues to cover as the number of people increase and the technology available to us advances.

Providing we don't kill ourselves first. genetics compound this 10 fold.

The indefinite combination of human fallibility and nuclear weapons will
lead to the destruction of nations

[Taverner]

31. Well things can go either way

Perhaps we aren't the best stewards of this planet, but we are the only game in town. Like any living creature, we must grow - so space exploration/colonization is in our destiny.

We have to get things right - that's for sure. But the universe wouldn't be better or worse without us.

[Pavulon]

21. First I said no one injured, second if you pay for me

to upgrade it is yours. Galapagos is a closed system. People have done massive damage there. Extinctions are directly linked to human activity..

At no point did I suggest harming anyone or depriving them of anything.

Personally I think people should be relocated and paid 500,000 a head. That would make them wealthy and secure the place.

Like Madagascar it is a stunning and complex place. We should take steps not to destroy it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. 'City'? Total population of the island is 2,200

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Villamil

[Robb]

15. Eh. They probably call themselves one.

I thought for a long time there were conventions regarding "town" and "city." Not so. :shrug:

[fascisthunter]

3. I Hope to Go to the Galapagos Islands in the Next Few Years

Probably going to be the best trip I have ever taken, even though it will be the most expensive.

[Pavulon]

22. I do as well

however I am torn as I do not want to contribute to development of the population. I am far from an eco warrior, but do believe that some places must be protected from destruction.

I do want to go, but you are correct on the price, about 7000 a person with airfare and boat trip..

last of his kind (thanks to us) resting tortoise..
http://kurup.org/dave/photo/images/43473/!%20lonely%20george.jpg

[fascisthunter]

34. Beautiful Creatures

They keep tourists in check when they get there... I know I'll be very cautious as not to leave any "foot print" there.

Some day...

[MilesColtrane]

8. Hope the penguins are safe.

[alfredo]

16. The volcano is at the extreme SW tip of the largest Island.

[Quantess]

11. Isn't this Darwin's favorite hangout?

Where he studied the evolution of the creatures of the island?

[underpants]

36. Yes, clearly God is speaking out against evolution

O8)

:sarcasm:

[Lefta Dissenter]

20. uhhh,

Little do people know how much work goes into preserving the species on the Galapagos - work done by people from all over the world, including those who have their homes on the Islands. It's a tough life - they're not living in friggin' Hawaii, after all.


By the way, here's a picture of me, the first time I was down there as a research assistant.

[Pavulon]

24. That is really cool

i meant people who live there with no connection to the park or cdrs. I certainly would not want to make a person worse off by moving them.

I cant think more people there would be a good thing..

From someone who has done work there do you thing visiting there is a negative thing, I am considering a trip?

[Pale Blue Dot]

35. Wow. I'm very jealous.

Thank you for your great work. :thumbsup:

[Hannah Bell]

37. i don't get it. why would "work" be needed to preserve species?

they usually preserve themselves unless people kill them, destroy their habitat, etc.

[fascisthunter]

38. I Appreciate what you and your colleagues Do