This is the moment lava flows across Isabela Island in the Galapagos after seven years of relative calm.
The eruption took place at Wolf Volcano, also known as Mount Whiton, the highest peak in the Galapagos Islands, just before midnight on 6th January.
The event was filmed by park rangers carrying out patrols in the protected zone as well as tour operators in the surrounding area.
Ecuador’s Geophysical Institute said the lava is flowing towards the island’s interior from a fissure in the south of the volcano.
Meanwhile, columns of smoke and ash have filled the skies at heights of between 1,900 and 3,800 metres, and are heading towards the north of the island where there is no human population at risk.
Moment of the eruption of the volcano in Galapagos Island. ( DPNG, Wilson Cabrera/Newsflash) 
Moment of the eruption of the volcano in Galapagos Island. ( DPNG, Wilson Cabrera/Newsflash)
The Galapagos National Park Directorate and the Galapagos Conservancy sent a team of eight park ranger and scientists, who were carrying out field work with Galapagos pink land iguanas, to Wolf Volcano to assess the danger.
The team confirmed that the mess of iguanas is far from the affected area and no additional measures need to be taken to protect them.
Environmental officials will monitor the situation to record any changes to the ecosystem as a result of the eruption.
Minister of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, Gustavo Manrique, said: “The Galapagos Islands are in constant formation, volcanic eruptions are one of the biggest attractions they have because it allows us to experience the power of nature firsthand”.
Moment of the eruption of the volcano in Galapagos Island. (DPNG, Wilson Cabrera/Newsflash) Moment of the eruption of the volcano in Galapagos Island. ( DPNG, Wilson Cabrera/Newsflash)
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: James King, Agency: Newsflash
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