Due to the geological history of the Galapagos, the islands located in the eastern part of the archipelago are the oldest. Española’s oldest lavas date to about 3.5 million years. Because of the constant weathering by trade winds and oceanic currents, the island has lost about half of its original size. Flat and with abrupt cliffs on its southern side, it has become the home to the only tropical albatross in the world: the waved or Española albatross.