A volcano perched atop one of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands has erupted, potentially threatening a unique species of pink iguanas.

The 1.1-mile high Wolf volcano is located on Isabela Island, home to a rich variety of flora and fauna typical of the archipelago that helped inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution following his 1835 visit.

"There is not risk for the human population. This is the only population of pink iguanas in the world," Galapagos National Park said on Twitter.

The park posted pictures showing lava pouring down the sides of the Wolf volcano, the Galapagos' highest point, while a dark plume estimated to be 6.4 miles high, billowed overhead.

Wolf had been inactive 33 years, according to the park.

The lava is flowing down the volcano's southern face while the iguanas, officially an endangered species, inhabit the opposite side, the Environment Ministry said in a statement, adding it expected the animals to escape harm.

The flow is likely to reach the sea, however, where it could harm marine life, the Geophysics Institute.