Lewis the Lion ventures down a lava tube

The Galapagos Islands are particularly special because Lewis the Lion learnt that they were volcanic islands which had been evolving over millions of years. Evidence of this was apparent when Lewis the Lion and his travel companions were taken underground into a cave or so he thought…

Lewis enters a lava tube

However, this was a cave with a difference as it had been formed when hot, molten lava (liquid rock) had streamed through it during a volcanic eruption and had gorged a hole out of the rock! The space that it had left behind was enormous in width, height and length.

Lewis marvels at the size of this lava tube cave

Lewis the Lion marvelled at how powerful the force of the lava flow must have been in order to have furrowed out such a huge space.

Furthermore, the rocks seemed to have been striped in the process.

The rock is formed in strips

Although he can’t remember why? Maybe you can find out and help him know why?

Luckily down the lava tube there were some lights which was just as well as the ground was slippery, wet and uneven. Their tour guide told the tourists that as water seeped through the rock, the rock was weakened and sometimes there was rock fall. Lewis the Lion felt like he’d seen enough for one day and wanted to get out of this dark, lava cave before anything fell on his head!

Out into the fading light of day, Lewis the Lion was delighted to be reminded that he truly was on the Galapagos Islands while they waited on the jetty to return to the cruise ship.

Lewis can see the cruise ships waiting out at sea

He posed beside a giant statue of a seagull but over the next few days he wondered if he would get to see one of the Islands’ most-loved birds: the bird with the blue feet – the blue-footed boobie? Look out for Lewis the Lion’s next blogs to find out…

Lewis poses by a model of a giant seagull on the beach

He also watched in amazement at the vast numbers of reddish crabs that were scrambling across the volcanic, black rock. He wondered why they weren’t better camouflaged against the rock?

Red crabs adorn the black volcanic rock

Why do you think they are this colour?

As he pondered these thoughts, he saw a dramatic sunset: perhaps one of his best ones yet as he loved seeing the palm trees in silhouette against the landscape.

Lewis sees a dramatic sunset as he stands on the jetty

As the tourists headed back to the Achipell II, Lewis the Lion wanted to pinch himself. He still couldn’t believe that he was really in the Galapagos Islands. It seemed like a dream come true! And the next few days would prove to be even more exciting yet. Look out for Lewis the Lion’s next blogs which are coming shortly.

 

Lewis the Lion understands that the volcanic nature of the Galapagos Islands plays an enormous part in why they are the unique haven that they are for so many varieties of wildlife.

Help Lewis the Lion to understand how a volcano is formed. You can see some explanations here. And there are some diagrams here.

About Helen Molloy

Helen Molloy has been a Primary Learning and Teaching Consultant, leading on the introduction of Primary Languages in the City of Stoke-on-Trent for the past 5 and a half years. She is passionate about language learning and inspiring children into developing a curiosity and awareness of other people's languages and cultures.
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