Oceanography

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Geography Physical processes

This activity introduces students to the idea that ocean currents bring nutrient rich water to the Galapagos Islands and help to sustain the islands’ rich biodiversity.

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The impact of industrial fishing could be devastating for the environmental and economic security of Galapagos © Jonathan Green

Introduction

Learning objectives

To understand that the world’s oceans are dynamic systems.
To understand that there are surface and deep flows of warm and cold water around the globe.
To understand the term upwelling and how this impacts the Galapagos islands.

Students’ outcomes

To identify and explain the main ocean currents that impact Galapagos.
To explain the effect of upwellings on flora and fauna of Galapagos.

Resources in English

Oceanography

Available downloads

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Marine-iguana-male-in-the-breeding-season-on-the-lookout-in-San-Crisobal-©-JP

Geography

Data analysis: Investigating El Niño and the Galapagos

This activity (suitable for GCSE levels) introduces students to El Niño and its impact in Galapagos. Students will also develop their data analysis skills.

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Sunset over Santa Cruz highlands, Galapagos

Geography

The Galapagos climate

This activity introduces students to the climate of Galapagos and how it is influenced by ocean currents. Analyse climate graphs to further explore the seasons.

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Geography

Rock types

This activity introduces students to the types of rocks on Earth and how they are formed.

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Pahoehoe lava on Santiago island, Galapagos

Geography

Plate tectonics

This activity introduces students the theory of plate tectonics, the concept that offers an explanation for the movement of continents across hundreds of millions of years.

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Marine iguana and lava lizard, Fernandina

03/09/2024

Climate

El Niño and La Niña explained

GCT Ambassador, Henry Nicholls, takes a deep dive into the impacts of El Niño on the wildlife of Galapagos and the current work being done to monitor these impacts.

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28/01/2022

Climate Overfishing Plastic pollution

Future oceans: Climate change, overfishing and pollution

Climate change is probably the single biggest threat facing the world’s biodiversity. If humans continue to live as we do today, rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events will cause

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A whale shark in Galapagos, which plays an important role in blue carbon capture

19/11/2024

Climate Ocean protection

Ocean guardians: The role of whale sharks in carbon capture

The phrase 'blue carbon' has gained popularity recently in conservation and economic discussions. But what is blue carbon, and how is the ocean's largest fish, the whale shark, a part of this system?

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Oceanography

Introduction

Learning objectives

Students’ outcomes

Resources in English

Oceanography

Available downloads

More resources like this

Data analysis: Investigating El Niño and the Galapagos

The Galapagos climate

Rock types

Plate tectonics

Related articles

El Niño and La Niña explained

Future oceans: Climate change, overfishing and pollution

Ocean guardians: The role of whale sharks in carbon capture

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