Three large and strong sea currents influence the Galapagos marine life entering the archipelago constantly: the Humboldt Current, the Panama Flow and the Cromwell Current.
The Humboldt and Cromwell Currents come up from the dark depths, carried with massive amounts of nutrients. This organic matter, left over of decaying fauna and flora that sank to the bottom, very much defines the nature of the Galapagos.
When the deep traveling current hits the volcanic formations of the archipelago, all these nutrients are lifted in what we know as “upwelling”. This phenomenon offers the coasts and surroundings of the islands very rich waters in which most species rely their population. The base of the marine ecosystems, plankton, provides for the rest of the species and allows animals that are usually found in rich cold waters such as the penguins, orcas, albatross, among others, to establish and develop in the islands.
This is why the Galapagos is considered an “oasis of wealth in a desert of warm poor tropical waters”. These currents are stronger in the months of April to December, in the cold season; so nine out of twelve months a year, conditions are optimum for marine life to flourish. 28/9 29/9 3/10 17/10 24/10
