This majestic work of nature is found in the north of South America and its extension exceeds 30 km2converging three countries: Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. It is in full Canaima National Parka natural space of 30,000 square km. We talk regarding Mount Roraimawhich is characterized by having a according to the plan and to be rsurrounded by large vertical cliffs with falls from 400 to 1000 meters.
One of the peculiarities of Mount Roraima, in addition to rising up to almost 3000 meters above sea level, extending into three countries and the longevity of its materials, is undoubtedly its unnatural morphology. Also, It is the largest rock formation in all of South America, being one of the best known tepuyes.
What accounts for its unique morphology?
Mount Roraima is the only mountain on the planet that, with an area of 30 km2, does not have a beak as such at its summit. Their top is completely horizontal and is surrounded by huge cliffs (which appear to have been cut with knives), waterfalls and other geographical features rare in the world.
Its peculiar topographymainly from its summit, andis caused by a process called leaching. The intense rains that take place during the wet season have caused that, during the last 180 million years, the falling water in the form of rain erodes its edges creating huge cliffs of perfect precision.
These meteors also prevent the fixation of nutrients and particles at their summit, which is why there is no vegetation on the top.
What year do your materials date from?
Despite the fact that for centuries scientists from all over the world have tried to decipher the geological origin of this mountain, There is still no exact certainty of its origin.
Some suggest that it was the product of a great earthquake in the past, but other mountains that were created in a similar way do not have that shape. In fact, for this reason they began to suppose that it might be the oldest formation on Earth.
And, indeed, it was. Thanks to the study of its materials, mainly sandstone compoundsRoraima was dated to the Proterozoic age (1.7-2 million years ago), making it the oldest mountain on Earth.
Unique fauna and flora
In addition to having a unique rock formation, Mount Roraima is home to a large number of endemic plant and animal species. Even due to the peculiarity of the terrain and the difficulty of access, scientists consider that there are species that science has not yet discovered.
The field research in the virgin areas it is quite complicated. In most cases you have to get climbing by helicopterfollowing requesting special permission from the authorities.