Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. David Bressan is a geologist who covers curiosities about Earth. I look forward to the Galapagos with more interest than any other ...

The first stop of the HMS Beagle in January 1832 was Quail Island (today Island of Santa Maria), a small island located in the bay of Praia of the larger island of St. Jago (today Santiago in the Cape ...

St. Jago, one of the Cape Verde Islands, is the first place Darwin disembarks on his Beagle voyage. "The geology of St. Jago," Darwin notes, "is very striking yet simple: a stream of lava formerly ...

When celebrating the birthday of a 2-year-old, parents usually light two candles on the cake. When celebrating Darwin’s bicentennial birthday, it makes sense to write two columns. Here’s my second ...

Charles Darwin, who was also a geologist, suggested that reefs take on a fixed sequence of forms as a volcanic island gradually sinks below sea level. Reefs on some island chains, such as the Society ...

Ceri Nunn does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their ...