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Stereoscopic view of South America
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Stereoscopic view of South America
February 2000 - This anaglyph (stereoscopic view) of South America was generated with data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). The variety of landforms comprising the South American continent is readily apparent.
Topographic relief in South America is dominated by the Andes Mountains, which extend all along the Pacific Coast. These mountains are created primarily by the convergence of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. The Nazca Plate, which underlies the eastern Pacific Ocean, slides under western South America resulting in crustal thickening, uplift, and volcanism. Another zone of plate convergence occurs along the northwestern coast of South America where the Caribbean Plate also slides under the South American Plate and forms the northeastern extension of the Andes Mountains.
East of the Andes, much of northern South America drains into the Amazon River, the worlds largest river in terms of both watershed area and flow volume. Topographic relief is very low in much of the Amazon Basin but SRTM data provide an excellent detailed look at the basins three-dimensional drainage pattern, including the geologic structural trough (syncline) that hosts the eastern river channel.
North of the Amazon, the Guiana Highlands commonly stand in sharp contrast to the surrounding lowlands, indeed hosting the worlds tallest waterfall, Angel Falls (979 meters or 3212 feet). Folded and fractured bedrock structures are distinctive in the topographic pattern.
South of the Amazon, the Brazilian Highlands show a mix of landforms, including some broad areas of consistent topographic patterns that indicate the occurrence of simple erosional processes acting upon fairly uniform bedrock. Very smooth plateaus here are remnants of landforms most likely developed under geologic and environmental conditions much different than those present today. Fractures paralleling the coast are likely related to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean as South America drifted away from Africa, starting about 130 million years ago.
To the southwest, broad lowlands host the Gran Chaco and Pampas regions. The depositional Gran Chaco drainages run almost exclusively from west to east from the Andes Mountains to the western edge of the Brazilian Highlands as a result of the much greater sediment supply from the Andes. Geologic processes on the Pampas are much more diverse, with stream erosion, stream deposition, subsidence, and wind processes all evident, even at the one-kilometer resolution shown here.
Further south, Patagonia also displays these geologic processes plus more prominent volcanic features, including bumpy mesas, which are lava plateaus with small (and some large) volcanic cones. At its southern tip, of South America breaks into islands that include Tierra del Fuego and the Straits of Magellan
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Media ID 13057327
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a stereoscopic view of South America, captured in February 2000 using data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). The image vividly displays the diverse and breathtaking landforms that make up this magnificent continent. The dominant feature seen throughout South America is the majestic Andes Mountains, stretching along its Pacific Coast. These mountains owe their existence to the convergence of two tectonic plates - the Nazca Plate beneath the eastern Pacific Ocean sliding under western South America, resulting in uplift, crustal thickening, and volcanic activity. Another zone of plate convergence occurs along the northwestern coast where the Caribbean Plate slides under the South American Plate. To the east of these towering peaks lies a vast expanse drained by none other than the mighty Amazon River - both in terms of watershed area and flow volume, it reigns as Earth's largest river. SRTM data allows us to observe intricate details such as its three-dimensional drainage pattern and even reveals a geologic structural trough hosting its eastern channel. Moving northwards from there, we encounter an astonishing contrast between lowlands and highlands known as Guiana Highlands. Here lies Angel Falls -the world's tallest waterfall at an astounding height of 979 meters (3,212 feet). This region also exhibits distinctive folded and fractured bedrock structures that shape its unique topographic pattern. Heading southward from Amazonia brings us to Brazilian Highlands which display various landforms shaped by simple erosional processes acting upon uniform bedrock formations. Smooth plateaus found here are remnants from ancient times when environmental conditions differed greatly compared to today. Further southwest lie broad lowlands encompassing Gran Chaco and Pampas regions. The depositional drainages originating from Andes run predominantly west to east through Gran Chaco due to abundant sediment supply while Pampas exhibit diverse geological processes including stream erosion/deposition, subsidence, and wind-driven phenomena. Lastly, as we venture southwards into Patagonia, we encounter a plethora
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