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Darwin's Arch loses its top due to erosion in the Galapagos Islands

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Posted at 11:36 AM, May 19, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-19 12:39:25-04

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — The famed Darwin’s Arch in the Galapagos Islands has lost its top, and officials are blaming natural erosion of the stone.

Ecuador’s Environment Ministry reported the collapse on its Facebook page on Monday.

An image of the structure shows it now consists of just two pillars.

The rock structure is 141 feet high, 230 feet long and 75 feet wide and it's less than half a mile from Darwin Island.

Ecuador Darwin's Arch
This photo distributed by Galapagos National Park shows Darwin's Arch off the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Sunday, May 16, 2021. Ecuador’s Environment Ministry reported the collapse of the top of the arch on its Facebook page on Monday, May 17, and blame natural erosion of the stone. (Galapagos National Park via AP)

It's a popular spot for scuba divers.

The unique flora and fauna on remote islands are famed in part for inspiring Charles Darwin’s thoughts on evolution.