GEOLOGY The Galapagos Islands are located on one of the most active volcanic regions on earth: the Nazca Plate. This plate moves eastward towards South America because of the spreading of the sea floor, at a rate of 7 cm/yr. This plate moves over a stationary area of intense heat or "hot spot" which "builds" the islands. Thus, the oldest part of the Archipielago is found at the east of the cluster.

Update November 2006 v1