About Galapagos Islands

• Situated in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 km from the South American continent, these 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called a unique ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’. 
• It is ruled by Ecuador. 
• Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galápagos are a ‘melting pot’ of marine species.
• It has different types of fauna due to isolation. Some of the species are the land iguana, the giant tortoise and the many types of finch – that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection following his visit in 1835.

Darwin’s Arch

• The arch, named for British naturalist Charles Darwin, stands at the northernmost tip of the Galapagos Islands.
• The arch is famed for the variety of underwater life teeming nearby, including schools of hammerhead sharks.

About Wave erosion

Why in the news?

• Darwin’s Arch has collapsed due to erosion recently.

References:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/famed-darwins-arch-in-galapagos-islands-collapses/article34602958.ece
2. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1/