Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Darwin's Arch loses its top due to erosion in Galapagos

The famed Darwin’s Arch in the Galapagos Islands has lost its top, and officials are blaming natural erosion of the stone

Via AP news wire
Tuesday 18 May 2021 17:26 BST
Ecuador Darwin's Arch
Ecuador Darwin's Arch

The famed Darwin s Arch in the Galapagos Islands has lost its top, and officials are blaming natural erosion of the stone.

Ecuador's Environment Ministry reported the collapse on its Facebook page on Monday.

The rock structure — 43 meters (141 feet) high, 70 meters (230 feet) long and 23 meters (75feet) wide — is less than 1 kilometer (about half a mile) from Darwin Island and it's a popular spot for scuba divers.

The unique flora and fauna on remote islands, some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) off the coast of mainland Ecuador are famed in part for inspiring Charles Darwin s thoughts on evolution.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in