A Look at South American Geology

Geology of Argentina

Argentina's geology is dominated by the metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Andes to the west and a large sedimentary basin to the east. A small, northeastern section of the country extends into the Río de la Plata craton. To the south, the Patagonia region stretches between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and contains some of the largest non-polar glaciers in the world. 

It should be noted that Argentina contains some of the world's richest fossil sites that are home to both gigantic dinosaurs and famous paleontologists. 

Geology of Bolivia

The geology of Bolivia is somewhat of a microcosm of South American geology as a whole: the Andes to the west, a stable Precambrian craton to the east and sedimentary deposits in between. 

Located in southwest Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world.

Geology of Brazil

Archean-aged, crystalline bedrock makes up a large portion of Brazil. In fact, ancient continental shields are exposed in nearly half of the country. The remaining area is made up of sedimentary basins, drained by large rivers like the Amazon.

Unlike the Andes, the mountains of Brazil are old, stable and have not been affected by a mountain-building event in hundreds of millions of years. Instead, they owe their prominence to millions of years of erosion, which sculpted away the softer rock. 

Geology of Chile

Chile is almost entirely within the Andes range and subranges — around 80% of its land is made up of mountains.

Two of the strongest recorded earthquakes (9.5 and 8.8 magnitude) have occurred in Chile.

Geology of Colombia

Much like Bolivia, Colombia's geology is made up of the Andes to the west and crystalline basement rock to the east, with sedimentary deposits in between. 

The isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northeastern Colombia is the highest coastal mountain range in the world, topping out at nearly 19,000 feet. 

Geology of Ecuador

Ecuador rises east from the Pacific to form two imposing Andean cordilleras before descending into the sedimentary deposits of the Amazon rainforest. The famed Galapagos Islands lie approximately 900 miles to the west. 

Because the Earth bulges at the equator due to its gravity and rotation, Mount Chimborazo — not Mount Everest — is the farthest point from the center of the Earth. 

Geology of French Guiana

This overseas region of France is almost completely underlain by the crystalline rocks of the Guiana Shield. A small coastal plain extends to the northeast toward the Atlantic.

Most of the approximately 200,000 inhabitants of French Guiana live along the coast. Its interior rainforest is largely unexplored. 

Geology of Guyana

Guyana is split into three geologic regions. The coastal plain is made up of recent alluvial sediment, while older Tertiary sedimentary deposits lie south. The Guiana Highlands form the large interior section. 

The highest point in Guyana, Mt. Roraima, sits on its border with Brazil and Venezuela. 

Geology of Paraguay

Although Paraguay lies at the crossroads of several different cratons, it is mostly covered in younger sedimentary deposits. Precambrian and Paleozoic basement rock outcrops can be seen at the Caapucú and Apa Highs. 

Geology of Peru

The Peruvian Andes rise sharply from the Pacific Ocean. The coastal capital city of Lima, for instance, goes from sea level to 5,080 feet within its city limits. The sedimentary rocks of the Amazon lie east of the Andes. 

Geology of Suriname

Much of Suriname's land (63,000 square miles) consists of lush rainforests that sit upon the Guiana Shield. The northern coastal lowlands support most of the country's population. 

Geology of Trinidad

Although slightly smaller than Delaware, Trinidad (the main island of Trinidad and Tobago) is home to three mountain chains. Metamorphic rocks make up the Northern Range, which reaches 3,000 feet. The Central and Southern Ranges are sedimentary and much shorter, topping out at 1,000 feet. 

Geology of Uruguay

Uruguay sits almost entirely upon the Río de la Plata Craton, with much of it covered by sedimentary deposits or volcanic basalts. 

Devonian Period sandstones (purple on the map) can be seen in central Uruguay. 

Geology of Venezuela

Venezuela consists of four distinct geologic units. The Andes die out in Venezuela and are bordered by the Maracaibo Basin to the north and the Llanos grasslands to the south. The Guiana Highlands make up the eastern portion of the country.