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The Wolf volcano spews smoke and lava on Isabela Island, May 25.

Galapagos islands’ Wolf volcano erupts — rare pink iguanas not in danger

Wolf volcano on the Galapagos Islands erupted Monday — the first time in 33 years. The island is home to pink iguanas, the only place on Earth the species is found. But authorities say the local population and the iguanas are not in immediate danger.

Environment
SDSteven Davy

The Wolf volcano spews smoke and lava on Isabela Island, May 25.

Reuters/Galapagos National Park/Diego Paredes

On Monday, Wolf volcano on the Galapagos Islands erupted spewing fire, smoke and lava.

Conolophus marthae, the Galapagos pink land iguana.
Conolophus marthae, the Galapagos pink land iguana.Gabriele Gentile/University of Rome
Authorities say the eruption, the first for the volcano in 33 years, posed no immediate danger to the local population of people.

Nor, apparently, to Isabela island's pink iguanas, the world's only known population of the the species. The Galapagos National Park says that the lava was flowing in an opposite direction from their habitat, raising hopes they will not be affected.

The Wolf volcano perched atop one of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands erupted in the early hours of Monday. The roughly 1.1-mile high Wolf volcano is located on Isabela Island, home to a rich variety of flora and fauna typical of the archipelago that helped in
The Wolf volcano perched atop one of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands erupted in the early hours of Monday. The roughly 1.1-mile high Wolf volcano is located on Isabela Island, home to a rich variety of flora and fauna typical of the archipelago that helped inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution following his 1835 visit.Reuters/Galapagos National Park/Diego Paredes
Wolf volcano on Isabela Island, May 25, 2015.
Wolf volcano on Isabela Island, May 25, 2015.Reuters/Galapagos National Park/Diego Paredes