Geology and Morphology

The ridges on Cocos Island are formed by the alignment of submerged volcanoes that developed in a southeast-northeast direction over the Cocos Tectonic Plate. Cocos Island emerged from this mountain range, which is formed by volcanic rocks, mainly of lava and ash; its geological age is between 1.91 and 2.44 million years. Cocos Island is younger than the Galapagos Islands, which have a geological age of between 1.8 and 4.2 million years.

The highest point on the island is Yglesias Hill at 634 meters above sea level on the southwest side, which gradually descends toward the north and northeast in rocky terraces. On the north it descends rapidly and perpendicularly towards the ocean; there are many rocks and irregularities on the western part of the coast. The hill descends gradually on the south towards Cape Dampier, and on the east it descends in soft slopes towards a rocky coast covered with forest vegetation.

Cocos Island is surrounded by a series of islands, inlets or rocks that are the result of marine erosion and of narrow valleys of lava; the best known are the islands and inlets of Cáscara, Cónica, Dos Amigos, Juan Bautista, Manuelita, Montagne, Muela, Pájara, Roca Sumergida and Roca Sucia.

Location and Size | Geology and Morphology | Oceanography | Climate | Hidrology