The next geographical setting of La Gran Sabana,
Venezuela we will explore is the terrain and landscape. Gran Sabana
features a wide-range of physical and hydrological features. One of the most interesting
is the large number of massive (including the world’s largest) tepuis that populate
this specific region. Tepuis, or “tabletop mountains”, seem to rise
dramatically out of the earth and into the sky.
Actually, tepuis are the result
of erosion and mass wasting. As substantial amounts of wind, rain, and humidity
frequent the area, weathering slowly weakens and erodes the rock. Eventually,
the rock begins to fall away in what appears to consistently be mass wasting in
the form of rock fall and topple. The result is a collection of towering, isolated
mountains with dramatic, sheer walls. Tepuis have such a spectacular appearance
that the word itself actually means “house of the gods” in the native tongue of
the indigenous tribes.
Check out these tepuis!
 |
| Mount Roraima tepui. This illustrates, from a distance, what tepuis look like from sea level. Savannas surround the area. |
|
|
|
 |
| Seen from above, tepuis sustain a substantial amount of plant and animal life. It appears flat but it's actually covered in thick jungle that makes the surface impassible. Few accessible tepuis exist-- this isn't one of them. |
|
 |
| This tepui is so large, you can see that it is home to lakes, streams, and an entire other climate high above the jungle below. |
|
|
 |
| The world's tallest waterfall drops hundreds of feet from streams and small rivers atop this tepui |
|
|
 |
| Some portions of the rock are thicker and stronger than others. The effects are visible here where the rock has eroded into a unique shape. The upper, "mushroom" portion of rock is much stronger than the rock that eroded away around it. |
|
|
 |
| We can see billions of years of layers and erosion in the rock. The tepuis of La Gran Sabana are some of the oldest geological features in the world. |
|
|
Next, let’s discuss the hydrography of La Gran
Sabana, Venezuela. Most of the country, including this area is rich in river
networks. The central drainage subbasin is formed by the Kukenan, Karuay,
Ikabaru, Suruku, Aponwao, and Uriman rivers. The entire area is rich in
lagoons, lakes, waterfalls, streams, rivers, and wetlands as there is a very
active water cycle due to the heavy amount of rain.
This area also has a higher
water table which helps to provide the region with groundwater discharges that,
combined with rain, help sustain one of the largest collections of plant
species’ in Venezuela.
 |
| A slight discoloration is visible, but the local water is safe and sustains locals. |
Much of the water found in this area is dark in
color and is described as looking like tea. This is because the water has a
high acidity level and is rich in tannins while being low in dissolved nutrients.
Regardless, the water in this region is said to be some of the least polluted
in the world.
 |
| Huge river networks connect La Gran Sabana to the rest of Venezuela, and the ocean. The rich forests and jungles that surround the area exist because of the water-rich region. |
 |
| Not all the water in La Gran Sabana experiences discoloration. This hot spring is filled with crystal clear water that makes the rocks underneath pop with the color of various minerals. |
|
|
 |
| Lagoons are sprinkled throughout the region, hidden in various jungles and even high atop tepuis. | | | | | | | | |
|
|
Sources:
Course Lectures
