Galapagos High Sea

North of the Galápagos, the eastern Pacific extends across the equator into waters traversed by ships between Panama and the South American coast. Currents and calms could carry vessels far from their intended course; in 1535 they brought Bishop Tomás de Berlanga to the islands. The surrounding sea supports a rich variety of marine life, sustained by the meeting of warm and cool currents around the volcanic archipelago.