Darwin’s Arch in the Galapagos Islands has collapsed, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment has revealed.
In a statement posted on social media, it said the iconic rock bridge named after the famous English biologist crumbled into the ocean on 17 May due to "natural erosion."
Informamos que hoy 17 de mayo, se reportó el colapso del Arco de Darwin, el atractivo puente natural ubicado a menos de un kilómetro de la isla principal Darwin, la más norte del archipiélago de #Galápagos. Este suceso sería consecuencia de la erosión natural.
— Ministerio del Ambiente y Agua de Ecuador (@Ambiente_Ec) May 17, 2021
📷Héctor Barrera pic.twitter.com/lBZJWNbgHg
The news prompted a torrent of comments with netizens expressing regret over the incident.
Me finding out that Darwin's Arch just collapsed: pic.twitter.com/VPC62TEw9x
— Trey the Explainer (@Trey_Explainer) May 18, 2021
Dear god...
— Chuck the Tyrannosaur (@TyrannosaurThe) May 18, 2021
One user spared a thought for tourists hoping to see the famous natural landmark.
Can you imagine the a family who is on their way to the islands and to see the arch for the first time, learning how long it took to create and how old it is and the day they decided to get there a guide tells them it collapsed! pic.twitter.com/DDNipfyPPo
— Nicky Gabagool 🍝 🇺🇲🇮🇹 (@kodiak138) May 18, 2021
Others contended that the arch fell victim to Darwin’s theory of evolution…
Survival of the fittest
— David Blakey (@david_dmblakey) May 18, 2021
😔
— Mojde (@Mojde68510683) May 18, 2021
Natural Selection!
Let’s see what will be developed !
… while some pointed to other potential reasons for the collapse.
Obviously caused by climate change.
— Norm der Ploom (@DerPloom) May 18, 2021
Some netizens chose to take the "every cloud has a silver lining" approach.
Look on the bright side, all that collapsed rock will likely be a good home for lots of marine life.
— Ashwin🌅🦜 (@amsriniva) May 18, 2021
Darwin's Arch is dead. Long Live Darwin's Pillars.
— Insaniquarian Deluxe (@Insaniquarian) May 18, 2021
One user wondered whether the arch should be given a Darwin Award.
Does it win a Darwin Award?
— Brennan Keller (@kellerb57) May 18, 2021
The natural rock formation was part of the Galapagos archipelago, made up of 127 islands, islets, and rocks, of which four are inhabited. It is said that the famous English scientist came up with his theory of evolution after visiting the archipelago and being inspired by its rich biodiversity.
