Darwin's Arch, a famed rock formation in the Galapagos Islands has taken on a new shape.
The top of the Arch collapsed this week into the Pacific Ocean due to natural forces.
"Obviously all the people from the Galapagos felt it was a shame because it's something we're familiar with since childhood, and to know that it has changed was a bit of a shock,"
Washington Tapia said, "However, from a scientific point of view, it's part of the natural process.It normally happens on our planet."
Darwin's Arch,which is made of natural stone, at one point would have been part of the island. Named after famed naturalist Charles Darwin, it is not accessible by land. But the area around the islands is a popular diving spot, particularly to observe sharks and other sea species.
"Unfortunately today, our guests of the Galapagos Aggressor III experienced a once in a lifetime event," the travel company Agressor Adventures posted on Facebook. The group added, "This morning at 11:20 am local time, the world-famous Darwin's Arch collapsed in front of their eyes. There are now only two pillars (柱子) remaining. Some in the dive & travel industry are already referring to this now as ‘The Pillars of Evolution (进化)'."
The post received nearly 200 comments including one person who wrote, "What a shame! Geologic (地质的) time is so much different from human time that we forget that it's always going on. That's why I like to spend a lot of time among the arches in Southern Utah. You never know when it could be the last time before geology does its work."
The Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been called a "living museum and showcase of evolution". The islands are situated about 621 miles from the coast of Ecuador. They are home to many interesting animals including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and many types of finches.
