An amazing thing happened to us while we were touring the Galapagos Islands in April of 2009. La Cumbre Volcano on the Isla Fernadina began to erupt while we were sailing from the Isla Isabela to Punta Moreno. Here's what happened...

The red circle is the erupting site. The cloud that encircles the area is a volcanic plume.

The authorities at the Galapagos National Park reported that this volcano began spewing lava flows and volcanic ash plumes that were visible for approximately 150 kilometers southwest of the active site.

The captain of our ship was advised that we would be allowed to approach the volcanic site within strict parameters regarding distance from the island's shore. From our ship, we paddled in dinghies where I obtained this photograph.

Another dinghy with members of our party approached the island which allowed this photograph to be taken.

I dipped my hand into the ocean and discovered what felt to be a warm bath as the lava flowed into the ocean. I found out through my research that these flows could disrupt and destroy some of the unique flora and fauna of the area. Dead wildlife was observed in the Pacific Ocean following this volcano's eruption which was its first in four years.

We came to see the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of 13 main islands and 17 islets, because this is where Charles Darwin made his discoveries and observations that lead to the theory of evolution. We were innocent bystanders as this incredible force of nature opened up before our very eyes. Sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time!