Sullivan Bay, on the east coast of Santiago Island,
just across Bartolome Island, boasts of a
wide lava flow, from a recent
eruption some one hundred years old.
This particular lava flowsolidified into a mostly ropey
appearance, which is locally known as Pahoehoe Lava.
Lava Bubbles, where volcanic gases in the flow escapedcan still be seen.
Althgough the flow is recent and soil
seemingly absent, already pioneer plants like Mollugo established
themselves among the lava rocks.
Some redish tuff cones rise from the wide
black lava flow and make an interesting photo opportunity.
The redish color indicates oxidation, first
step in the process of basalt turning into soil particles.
The lava flow reaches right to the sea and on the basaltic rocks
Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas abound. The marine iguanas
adapted a black color and are well camoflaged. so are the young crabs.
But once the Sally Lightfoot crabs reach adulthood they
become bright-red and easily seen
among the black lava shores.
