Panorama of Bartolome and Santiago Islands
February 07, 2011
Photographer: Leah Beltran
Summary Author: Leah Beltran; Jim Foster
This panoramic view was taken from atop Bartolome Island in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. The Galapagos consists of more than 40 volcanic islands straddling the equator. On the right of the isthmus in the mid-ground is Pinnacle Rock, which was likely formed from erosion of lava -- with assistance from the U.S. Navy. Evidently during World War II, the Navy used the high ground at what is now Pinnacle Rock for target practice. In the background is Santiago Island. The most recent eruption on Santiago Island occurred about 100 years ago. A lava flow from this eruption can be seen at the edge of Sulivan Bay, behind Pinnacle Rock. The landscape is still quite barren here with only a few plants able to thrive in the inhospitable conditions. Bartoleme Island is named after Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan and is home to the Galapagos penguin -- the only penguin species to live on the equator. Panorama taken on April 23, 2008.
Photo details: Five-photo panorama stitched in Photoshop. Camera Maker: PENTAX Corporation; Camera Model: PENTAX K10D; Focal Length: 18.0mm (35mm equivalent: 27mm); Aperture: f/9.0; Exposure Time: 0.0013 s (1/800); ISO equiv: 200; Exposure Bias: 0/10 EV; Metering Mode: Center Weight; Exposure: program (Auto); White Balance: Auto; Flash Fired: No (enforced); Orientation: Normal; Color Space: Adobe RGB (1998).