A volcano in the Galapagos Islands erupted on Monday after 33 years of inactivity. The streams of lava flowing down the slopes are now threatening the population of the pink iguanas, a species unique to the island. The volcano last erupted in 1982.
The eruption was first reported by a tourist boat passing by the Wolf volcano. The Galapagos National Park authorities immediately went to the area to assess the possible impact of the eruption to the rosy iguanas. They confirmed through a Twitter post that the species are safe because the stream of lava is on the opposite side of their habitat, AFP reported.
"The iguanas which share the habitat with yellow iguanas and giant Chelonoidis becki tortoises, are situated on the northwest flank, which raises hopes that they will not be affected," the authorities said.
The eruption generated a 6-mile high ash cloud which is expected to cause some minor ash fall in some areas in Isabela, Ecuador. The eruption is expected to last for several days up to a month, but the authorities do not see the eruption as a danger to the residents and tourists near the area, according to Reuters.
"The Wolf volcano is not located near a populated area. There is not risk for the human population. This is the only population of pink iguanas in the world," the authorities added in the Twitter post.
The Environment Ministry officials were not immediately available for comments.
