Final answer:
The youngest islands in the Hawaiian and Galapagos archipelagos are closest to each other due to the movement of tectonic plates over stationary volcanic hotspots. Gene flow alters allele frequencies in Galapagos finch populations, while Darwin's observations on the islands informed his theory of natural selection. Species diversity and adaptation to various environmental conditions are key for survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
The youngest Hawaiian island and the youngest Galapagos island are closest to each other because both archipelagos are situated on tectonic plates that move over volcanic hotspots. A hotspot is a location where material from deep within the Earth's mantle rises to form magma, which then creates islands through volcanic activity. As the tectonic plates move, the hotspot remains stationary, periodically creating new islands. This is why the youngest islands in these chains—Hawaii's Big Island and Fernandina in the Galapagos—are both the closest to their respective hotspots and each other.
Galapagos medium ground finches can alter allele frequencies through gene flow, which is the transfer of genetic variation from one population to another. This occurs when individuals from one island's population fly to another and breed, mixing the genetic pools. The resulting change in allele frequencies can lead to evolutionary changes over time.
The Galapagos archipelago's ecology and geological status are exceptional since they contributed to Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection. The unique adaptations of species on different islands, like the giant tortoises and iguanas, provided Darwin with insights into the process of evolution. Varied survival strategies and genetic diversity are crucial for species' survival on these islands, as indicated by the resilience of genus B following a volcanic explosion.