Relief of South America and minerals. Landforms of south america

Lesson topic: Relief and minerals of the mainland South America.

Lesson objectives: To continue the formation of students' ideas about the nature of South America; to recall already known and to disassemble with students new terms and concepts; to form their ideas about the tectonic structure, relief and minerals of South America - their composition, origin, structure; to introduce students to the objects of the relief of South America; continue the formation of the ability to establish causal relationships by comparing various geographical maps.

Equipment: building map earth's crust, physical map of South America, wall contour map.

During the classes.

Checking the knowledge gained in the last lesson.Without using maps, determine and justify the correctness of the statement. In the answer column, put a sign (+) - if the statement is true, (-) - if it is false. Answer the question.

statements	answers
1. this continent crosses the equator in its northern part
2. The area of the mainland is 18 million square meters. km.
3. The mainland is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean.
4. separated from the mainland North America Panama Canal.
5. the coldest continent on earth.
6. the extreme southern point of the mainland - Cape Agulhas (35S 20E)
7. is separated from the mainland Antarctica by the Mozambique Channel.
8. This continent is like a bunch of grapes.
9. in the south of the mainland is the island of Tasmania.
10. in the north, the mainland is washed by waters caribbean.
11. This continent is washed by the waters of two oceans.
12. refers to one part of the world.
13. lies entirely in the western hemisphere.
14. is located in both the western and eastern hemispheres.

Justification of incorrect answers ______________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Reflection

– And why is it necessary to know the geographical position of the mainland?

I - setting the cognitive task of the lesson.

On each table, students have blanks that will be required when studying this topic.

1. Terms and concepts. Choose those that you already know and write them in the first column.

Platform, young mountains, shield, foundation, lowland, plateau, plateau, Amazonian, Brazilian, Orinoco, La Platskaya, Andes, graben, Aconcagua, Cotopaxi.

Invite students to complete a three-digit diary.

2. Reflection. We check what is written in the column "I want to know." We are looking for these concepts on the map of South America. Setting the cognitive task of the lesson.

To study the features of the relief of South America.

3. Make a cluster on the topic "Relief of South America". Arrange arrows that show the relationship between the relief and its diversity.

Relief features Yu.A.

Similarities and differences in the relief of Africa and South America

Patterns of placement of minerals

Differences in relief

West

East of the mainland

History of its formation

4. Work in groups on the characteristics of one of the forms of relief according to the plan, which the students draw up on their own. Each group posts. Such landforms are characterized as: Andes, Amazonian lowland,

Orinoco Lowland, Brazilian Plateau, etc.

5. Checking the knowledge gained while studying the topic of the relief of South America.

Why is it necessary to study the relief of the territory?
What cards should be used?
Why are mountains located in the western part of the mainland?
Find the highest mountain?
What volcanoes are in the Andes?
What is the dependence of relief on the structure of the earth's crust?

6. Work in groups on the definition of minerals.

One group evaluates the minerals located in the Andes mountains, the other on the Brazilian plateau, and the third on the lowlands.

The dependence of types of minerals on the structure of the earth's crust is revealed.

Identification of causal relationships (filling in the systematizing table)

Using the maps of the atlas, fill out a systematizing table and, based on a comparison of the relief, structure and minerals in the Andes mountains, the Brazilian plateau and the Amazonian lowland, identify cause-and-effect relationships

Parts of the mainland	Parts of the mainland	Tectonic structure	Minerals
			Sedimentary	igneous
Andes
brazilian plateau
Amazon lowland.

Knowledge check. Digital dictation "Surface Shapes of South America".

Orinok Lowland
Amazonian lowland
brazilian flathorn
Guiana Highlands
Andes mountains

What is the name of:

A) the largest plain in the world?

B) an area of South America where catastrophic earthquakes occur?

C) an oil-rich plain?

D) highlands rich in gold and diamonds?

E) a highland that gradually descends to the northwest?

E) highlands, which are characterized by the highest heights in the central part?

G) mountains whose name in the language of the locals means "copper"?

Students check the spelling for correctness.

Homework: draw up a route for a geologist on the mainland of South America. Assess mining conditions.

South America has a different character of the geological structure, which is associated with the formation of the earth's crust in different archaeological periods. The eastern part was formed back in the Precambrian period, and there the relief of South America is a plain - this is the South American Platform. The West has been actively formed since the Paleozoic period and the Andes are located there.

Plains of South America

The flat platform has deflections and raised areas. In place of the first (also called "shields"), two highlands are located - Brazilian and Guiana. During the period when they were rising, the slopes became almost vertical. The part of the Brazilian Highlands in the east, where the sierras formed, rose the most. At 2890 meters above sea level, here is the most high point highlands - the Bandeira massif.

Rice. 1. The relief of South America.

As for the troughs, there are three plains of enormous proportions - La Plata, Orinokskaya, and also the Amazonian.

The relief and minerals of South America are closely connected with its geological history. Thus, the ancient shields of the platform are the richest in iron ore - these are the Brazilian (center and outskirts) and Guiana (north) highlands. In the highlands, there are rich reserves of bauxites containing aluminum) and manganese. Where the platform sags, there are reserves of oil and its accompanying natural gas, as well as coal. Venezuela can rightfully be considered the leader in the production of "black gold" and gas. These facts are necessarily noted in the textbook for grade 7.

Rice. 2. Brazilian Highlands.

Uranium, titanium, nickel, and zirconium have been found where igneous rocks lie close to the surface or have even flowed onto it.

Mountainous part of South America

The mountainous part of South America is called the English West, and it is located in the west.

The Andes chain is one of the highest on Earth. If we compare the relief of Africa and South America, then one of the differences will be due to these mountains: when glaciers descended from their peaks, they “cut” the coast, which is not observed on the African mainland.

There are twenty peaks in the Andes, whose height exceeds 6 thousand meters above sea level. And the highest point of the chain is Mount Anoncagua. It is located in the Chilean-Argentine part of the mountain range and rises to 6960 meters. Wherein total length the entire mountain chain is almost nine thousand kilometers, which makes it the longest on Earth.

Rice. 3. Andes.

The Andes began to form during the Paleozoic, in the Hercynian folding, but the Alpine became the main period for them. In the Cretaceous period, the result of folding was the Western Cordillera (Colombia-Tierra del Fuego). But the features of the relief of the Central Andes are associated with the Alpine orthogenesis, when the ancient Hercynian structures were broken and partially raised. This is how the main high mountain plateau was formed.

The Andes continue to form modern period. This is evidenced by the strongest earthquakes (the last of which happened less than half a century ago, in 1970 in Peru). Earthquake epicenters are confined to the Peru Trench, which stretches along the western coast of the mainland. Tsunamis are the result of earthquakes. The highest active volcano in this part of the world is Llullaillaco, and his brothers Osorno, San Pedro, Cotopaxi, Ruiz also do not sleep.

Thus, in the western part, the prevailing landforms determine the presence of the corresponding minerals. Ores of metamorphic and magmatic origin are located in the Andes in rich deposits. Precious stones and non-ferrous metals, which are considered rare, are also found in these places in significant quantities. Thus, Chile ranks second in the world ranking of countries producing copper and molybdenum ore, and tin reserves in Bolivia are regarded by experts as significant. This is not to mention Colombia, the “land of emeralds”. In addition to the above minerals, the western part of South America has reserves of gold, zinc and platinum, as well as antimony, silver, lead and tungsten. Many of them began to develop even the ancient Incas, who even named one of the lakes of Titicaca, that is, “lead rock”.

Chile is rich in saltpeter deposits, which are formed from seabird droppings through biochemical decomposition. The main factor in their formation was the desert climate.

What have we learned?

We received a description of the relief of South America with reference to the historical periods of its formation, and also learned that a certain part of the mainland continues to form. The formation process is manifested by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. We figured out how the origin of landforms affects what minerals are common in a particular region and learned Interesting Facts about it. In addition, we received information about the main plains of South America and the Andes mountain range, and also about the features of the continental relief and the distribution of resources.

Topic quiz

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The relief of South America is varied and contrasting. According to the nature of the structure of the surface on the mainland, two parts are distinguished. Most of the eastern part is dominated by low, elevated plains and plateaus, in the west by the longest mountain ranges of the Andes.

The low-lying plains (Amazon, Orinoc, La Plata) have a flat relief and are composed of marine and lake-river deposits. The relief of the western part of the mainland is the result of the interaction of several lithospheric plates, on the border of which mountain building movements occur.

The formation of the Andes began in the Paleozoic and has not ended so far. The Andes continue to rise, volcanoes erupt, strong earthquakes occur.

South America is rich in mineral deposits. The richest deposits of iron, manganese, nickel ores, uranium, bauxite deposits containing aluminum are confined to the ancient shields of the platform. Oil, natural gas, and coal have been found in the depressions and troughs of the platform. In the Andes, a deposit of non-ferrous and rare metals was found. For example, the famous "tin belt" of Bolivia stretches from north to south for 940 km. The Andes contain the world's largest deposits of copper ores, as well as ores of molybdenum, silver, tungsten, lead and zinc. Sulfur, boron, iodine, saltpeter are mined from non-metallic minerals on the Pacific coast and in the foothills of the Andes. There is oil in the intermountain basins.

South America is made up of two main geological elements: the Andes - a folded mountain belt in the east and the South American mountain platform. Throughout its existence, the platform has been lowered and raised several times. Sedimentary rocks accumulated in the subsided areas, and crystalline rocks accumulated in the uplifted areas. Due to the different uplift rates, the earth's crust cracked and lava splashed onto the surface.

The mainland, due to the peculiarities of the internal structure, can be divided into two parts:

1. Vast lowlands.

Landforms of South America

La Plata, Orinokska and the Amazonian lowlands, located in the troughs of the South American platform, occupy almost half of the mainland area.

2. Plateaus. in the east Guiana and the Brazilian Plateau are formed by outcroppings of the basement. In some places their height reaches 3000 m. The plateaus on the mainland are dotted with numerous river valleys, which can be seen if you view video in english.

central part Guiana The plateau is notable for its huge flat-topped massifs, the walls of which are almost vertical. It is cut by abysses and deep canyons, but from a great height it seems that the surface is absolutely flat.

The Andes mountain system stretches along the Pacific coast, the average heights of which range from 3000 to 5000 m. The highest point is Mount Aconcagua (6960 m). These are young mountains, strong earthquakes and volcanisms are happening here and now, as a result of which the San Pedro volcanoes and Cotopaxi.

Gold, uranium, aluminum, manganese, and iron ore are mined on the Guiana and Brazilian plateaus. In the Andes there are deposits of precious stones, zinc, lead and copper ores.

Due to the arid climate in the west of the South American continent, deposits of Chilean sulfur were formed in dry reservoirs, which is a raw material for nitrogen fertilizer and iodine.

Volcanic phenomena in Andes contributed to the formation of deposits of building materials and sulfur. In the foothills and troughs of the platform in sedimentary deposits there are deposits of gas, oil, and coal. The largest oil fields are concentrated on the coast of the Caspian Sea and in the foothills of the Andes.

South America. PHYSICAL AND GHEGRAPHICAL POSITION.

The area of the mainland is 17.8 million square kilometers without islands and 18.3 million square kilometers with islands. The length from north to south is -70 gr. h.d. exceeds 7500 km, from west to east (in the widest part) more than 4500 km. South America is crossed by the equator in the northern part. The extreme northern point is Cape Gallinhas, 13 gr. n.l.; extreme southern mainland point Cape Frouerd, 54 gr. S, insular Cape Horn, 56 gr. S The mainland lies entirely in the western hemisphere. The extreme western point of Cape Parinhas, 81 gr. h.d.; extreme eastern point Cape Cabo Branco, 34 gr. h.d.

South America lies in the equatorial, two subequatorial, two tropical climatic zones; southern part located in the subtropics and in the temperate zone.

The mainland is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama and separated from it by the Panama Canal, and separated from Antarctica by the Drake Passage.

Geological structure and main landforms of South America

It is washed in the west by the Pacific Ocean, in the south by the Drake Irrigation, in the east by the Atlantic Ocean, in the north by the Caribbean Sea of the Atlantic Ocean. In the north is the warm North Trade Wind Current, in the northeast is the warm Guiana Current, in the east is the warm Brazil Current, in the southeast is the cold Falkland Current, in the south is the cold West Winds Current, in the west is the cold Peruvian Current, in the north in the west - the warm current of El Niño. Coastline slightly cut. Small bays are located at the mouths of rivers (La Plata, Maracaibo). Adjacent islands: in the north - Lesser Antilles, in the southeast - Falkland (Malvinas), in the south - Tierra del Fuego, in the southwest - the Chilean archipelago. The geographical position of the mainland, mainly in low latitudes, determines the predominance of tropical types of landscapes - the "kingdom of tropical nature."

TECTONIC STRUCTURE, RELIEF, MINERALS.

The relief of South America is asymmetrical. Most of the mainland is occupied by vast plains of different heights. In the west is one of the highest mountain systems in the world - the South American Cordillera (Andes). Average Height mainland 580 m, the highest point - Mount Aconcagua 6960 m, the lowest - Valdez Peninsula -40 m. Features of the relief are determined by the tectonic structure. At the base of South America lies the ancient South American Platform with a basement of Precambrian age. Within the platform there are large shields in the north and east, which correspond to the Guiana and Brazilian plateaus. Powerful block processes took place within the Guiana Plateau, so the plateau has a highly dissected relief. The highest point is Mount Roraima 2771 m, average heights are from 500 to 1000 m.

The Brazilian Plateau corresponds to three shields: South Amazonian, East Brazilian, West Brazilian. This plateau gently rises from the north and northwest to the southeast. The highest point is Mount Bandeira 2890 m. Active magmatism took place within this territory, traps and volcanic plateaus are found here. This area is finished

its formation. Peneplens (leveling surfaces, denudation plains) are formed here.

Between the shields there are syneclises (troughs) of the platform foundation, which are filled with thick strata of sedimentary rocks. They correspond to the vast low-lying plains of South America: Amazonian, La Platskaya, Orinokskaya.

In the west, the platform adjoins an area of Alpine folding, which was formed in the Cenozoic as a result of the subduction of the Nazca Plate and the South American lithospheric plate. This region of folding corresponds to the Andes, which belong to the high and highest mountains. The highest point is Mount Aconcagua 6960 m. Mountain building processes have not yet been completed here and are accompanied by earthquakes and volcanism (Cotopaxi and Chimborazo volcanoes). Tectonic processes are strong in the Caribbean, Northern and Southern Andes, calm in the Central and Patagonian Andes. The Andes are made up of parallel ranges. Approaching, they form mountain knots, and where the ridges diverge, lie the Central Andean highlands and plateaus 3500-4000m high.

South America has a huge mineral resource base. The ore deposits are confined to the outcrops of the crystalline basement to the surface and to the Andean folded belt. Non-metallic - to the cover of sedimentary rocks of the platform. In ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks and weathering crusts, significant deposits of iron (Minas Geiras - Brazil), manganese, bauxite, titanium and uranium ores were formed. The reserves of beryllium, niobium, zirconium, tantalum are concentrated here. The vein deposits of gold and diamonds in Brazil play a significant role. On the Guiana Plateau there are large deposits of iron ore, bauxite and gold, in Peru and Chile large reserves of copper are concentrated in the Andean belt, in Bolivia there is a tin belt. Emeralds are mined in Colombia. In the sedimentary cover of the Orinoc, Amazonian and La Plata lowlands there are oil deposits, especially in Venezuela. Atacama contains 99% of the world's saltpeter reserves.

South America is the wettest continent on Earth, but not as hot as Africa, since the southern part lies in the temperate zone. Within the mainland, an equatorial, two subequatorial, two tropical climatic zones are formed; the southern part lies in the subtropics and in the temperate zone.

In general, the climate of South America is more varied than that of Africa and Australia. The average annual temperatures in most of the mainland are from +20 to +28, and only in the south are these figures lower (from +8 in winter to +16 in summer). The maximum recorded temperature is +46 (Cordoba), the minimum is -33 (Sariento). Antarctica has a huge impact on the climate of South America, from which the cold pampero wind breaks into the temperate and even subtropical zone. In Patagonia, the temperature can drop to 0 in summer, to -30 in winter; in the subtropics in the south of the Brazilian Plateau in summer up to +15, in winter up to +8.

The distribution of precipitation is extremely uneven, but the thickness of the precipitation layer is enormous - on average 1700 mm. The runoff layer into the hydrographic network is 700 mm. These values are twice the average. Maximum

the amount of precipitation falls in the western part of the Amazonian lowland (3000-4000 mm), on the western slopes of the equatorial Andes (up to 7000 mm) and on the western slopes of the Patagonian Andes (up to 4000-5000 mm). The minimum amount of precipitation is the inland regions of the tropical belt, the south of the La Plata lowland, the barrier rain shadow zone, in Patagonia. In general, the climate of South America, which is characterized by an abundance of heat and light in most of the territory, creates favorable conditions for year-round vegetation of plants.

INLAND WATERS.

Since South America is the wettest continent on Earth, one of the largest hydrographic networks in the world has formed here. South America occupies 12% of the land area, but it accounts for 36% of the world's ocean runoff, of which 15% belongs to the Amazon. The pattern of the hydrographic network is extremely asymmetric, which is determined by the features of the relief. The main watershed runs along the peaks of the Andes near the Pacific Ocean, so all major rivers belong to the Atlantic Ocean basin (Amazon, Parana, Orinoco, San Francisco). Most of the rivers are rain fed, and only the rivers of Patagonia and the Patagonian Andes are snow and glacial. The regime of rivers is determined by their position in climatic zones. For example, the rivers of the Amazon Basin, which are rain-fed, are full-flowing throughout the year with two maxima in spring and autumn during the zenithal rains. Rivers of the subequatorial type are also fed by rain. These are major tributaries of the Amazon, the Orinoco River and the Paraguay. They have a maximum flow in late summer, early autumn and winter low water. The rivers of the tropical zone in the inland regions are shallow, and in the southeast of the Brazilian Plateau, they are full-flowing throughout the year. Most of the rivers in the upper reaches have a mountainous character, as they begin in the Andes and on the plateaus. There is an abundance of rapids and waterfalls. The Guiana Plateau is home to the highest Angel Falls in the world (1054 m). On the Iguazu River (Brazilian Plateau) - the world's longest Iguazu Falls (about 3000 m long, includes more than 270 cascades).

There are few large lakes. In the southern part of the Andes there are glacial lakes, in the north there is the Maracaibo lagoon lake of tectonic origin, in the Central Andes at an altitude of 3800 m lies the largest high-altitude lake Titicaca with depths up to 300 m.

Modern glaciation is relatively weakly distributed due to the high position of the snow line. Maximum glaciation in the Patagonian Andes and Tierra del Fuego.

NATURAL ZONES.

Due to the large extent from north to south, natural zoning is clearly represented on the mainland from equatorial forests in the center to semi-deserts and deserts of the temperate zone in the south. Due to the predominance of a hot, humid climate on the mainland, forests are widespread here and there are relatively few deserts and semi-deserts.

1) The zone of humid equatorial forests (selva) is located on both sides of the equator in the Amazon basin, on the slopes of the Andes and in the north of the Pacific coast. The zone is formed within the equatorial and subequatorial climatic zones. Due to the processes of chemical weathering, fertile red-yellow ferralitic soils are formed in the selva. grow here different kinds palm trees, cocoa, hevea, many orchids, lianas, melon tree, ceiba. Many animals are adapted to life in trees: chain-tailed monkeys, sloths, tree porcupines; tapirs, anteaters, jaguars also live here;

many species of parrots, hummingbirds; the world of insects is very rich; snakes are common, including anacondas. Forests have up to 12 tiers.

2) The zone of variable-moist equatorial forests is located north and south of the selva, in the west of the Atlantic coast. It is formed within subequatorial climatic zones. Red soils and yellow soils are formed here. The flora and fauna are the same as in

3) The savannah zone occupies the Orinok lowland and most of the Guiana and Brazilian plateaus. Located in the subequatorial climate zone. Red ferralitic and red-brown soils are formed here. Savannahs of the northern and southern hemispheres within the southern

Americas are different. In the northern savannahs (llanos), palm trees and acacias, mimosas, spurges, and bottle trees grow among the grasses. In the southern savannahs (campos), the vegetation is poorer due to less rainfall: there are low-growing woodlands of quebracho with very hard

wood. Among the animals in the savannahs are small deer, wild peccary pigs, armadillos, anteaters, jaguars, cougars, and rhea ostriches.

4) The zone of tropical deserts occupies a small coastal strip on the west coast. Here, not far from the ocean, lies one of the most waterless deserts in the world - Atacama. On stony, barren soils, cacti and thorny cushion-like shrubs grow here and there. Onshore

rocks are bird colonies.

5) The steppe zone (pampa) is located south of the savannas. In a hot tropical climate, fertile red ferralitic soils have formed here. The main vegetation is grasses, among which feather grass, wild millet and other cereals predominate. In the southwest, where there is less

rainfall, there are thickets of thorny grasses and shrubs. Fast-running animals are typical for pampas: pampas deer, pampas cat, several types of llamas. There are many rodents (nutria, viscacha), as well as armadillos and birds.

6) The zone of semi-deserts and deserts of the temperate zone was formed in Patagonia in a temperate climate with low rainfall. The soils are poor brown and gray-brown. The vegetation is represented by dry grasses and cushion shrubs. Animal world similar to pampas, inhabited by rodents and burrowing animals. Among them are nutria, small armadillos.

7) Altitudinal zonation.

In the equatorial belt: up to 1000 m - humid equatorial forests.

Up to 3000 m - mountain and alpine forests, where bamboo and tree ferns, cinchona are found.

Up to 4000 m - low trees and shrubs, light forests appear. There are heather and myrtle thickets, undersized bamboos.

Above 4000 m - alpine meadows (paramos). The vegetation consists of rare grain cereals, cushion-shaped shrubs. Moss swamps are located on flat areas, and stony barren deserts are characteristic of large slopes.

Above 4500 m - bare rocks, a belt of eternal ice.

In the subtropics at the foot there are deserts, turning into a belt of hard-leaved forests, extending to a height of 2000 m on the western slopes and up to 1800 m on the eastern ones. Here you can find plane trees, glanders, and in the undergrowth - thickets of flowering geraniums. Hard-leaved forests are replaced by deciduous beech forests, and above 2500 m there are mountain meadows.

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Tectonic map

At the base of the mainland lies the South American platform, therefore most of relief - plains. In the west there is an area of new folding, where the relief is mountainous. The central and eastern part is occupied by plains (lowlands, uplands and plateaus), and in the west by the Andes mountains.

The Andes is the longest (9000 km) and one of the highest (Mount Aconcagua, 6962 m) mountain systems of the Earth, bordering all of South America from the north and west; southern part of the Cordillera. In some places, the Andes reach a width of over 500 km (the greatest width - up to 750 km - in the Central Andes, between 18 ° and 20 ° S). The average height is about 4000 m.

The relief of the eastern part was formed on the ancient South American platform. The rise of its foundation in the relief corresponds to plateaus, and low plains have formed in the troughs. The strongest tectonic movements took place on the shields, they are broken by cracks, there are faults. Erosion processes, weathering, tectonic processes have created a wide variety of landforms on the Guiana and Brazilian plateaus.

The low-lying plains (Amazon, Orinoc, La Plata) have a flat relief and are composed of marine and lake-river deposits.

Features of the landforms of South America

The relief of the western part of the mainland is the result of the interaction of several lithospheric plates, on the border of which mountain building movements occur. The formation of the Andes began in the Paleozoic and has not ended so far. The Andes continue to rise, volcanoes erupt, strong earthquakes occur.

Physical and geographical characteristics of the Inner Plains of South America.

The internal plains are located between the Brazilian Plateau and the Andes in the central part of the mainland and are confined to three zones - subequatorial, tropical and subtropical. The Internal Plains include five natural areas: Mamore, Pantanal, Gran Chaco, the interfluve of Parana and Uruguay, Pampa.

Mamore Plains— flat alluvial plains . In summer equatorial air masses bring here heavy rainfall, up to 2000 mm per year. In winter, there is less rain, but the dry season is weakly expressed, so the composition of woody vegetation is closer to the hylaea of the Amazon.

H variability Pantanal , dry in winter and flooded by rainwater in summer. It is composed of a thick layer of sedimentary rocks. On the plains of the Pantanal, tall grasses dominate, in some places trees and shrubs. Moisture-loving forests grow along the rivers.

Plains of the Gran Chaco. This is the hottest place in South America, the average temperature in January is + 28, + 29 ° C, the absolute maximum is + 47 ° C. The change of winter dry and summer rainy seasons is well pronounced in the region. Precipitation is predominantly torrential in nature. On the western, more elevated part of the region, there are forests of prickly acacias, cacti, agaves; to the east, patches of steppes and forests appear. Wax palm grows in wetter places. In the north of the region there are vast wetlands.

Interfluve of Parana and Uruguay It is a plain up to 100 m high. The climate here is subtropical, humid, with a uniform distribution of precipitation over the seasons, during the year they fall over 1000 mm. The northern part is swampy; the center and south of the interfluve is a well-drained, slightly hilly plain, composed of sandstones covered with marls. The black-colored soils of the subtropical savannas are well developed; forests of mimosas and acacias grow here. There are areas of subtropical steppes.

The southern part of the Inner Plains is pampas - grassy plains. The climate of Pampa is subtropical. The average temperature in January is + 22 - + 24 ° С, in July + 7 - + 9 ° С; precipitation falls 1000-1200 mm per year, they are distributed evenly over the seasons.

In the flora of the Pampas, there are up to a thousand species of various cereals. There are areas devoid of grass. On the clay soils of the Pampas, silver guinea grass is represented. The fauna of the Pampas is not rich and monotonous. Often there is a viscacha - a large rodent. Rare predators (puma). Of the birds, the ibis, ipikaha, tinamou are characteristic, resembling a partridge in size and appearance.

44. Precordillera and Pampina Sierras (physical and geographical characteristics).

Precordillera - Har-ny large contrasts of relief, climate, soil and vegetation cover. Against the backdrop of elevated plains, steep mountain ranges 2500-4000 m high often rise here. They are composed of Precambrian and Paleozoic rocks, subjected to long-term destruction and leveling. Between the mountain ranges, wide valleys formed - bolsons and depressions (Salinas Grande).

Precordillera is characterized by a continental arid climate. Precipitation falls unevenly. The amount of precipitation decreases from east to west, and the eastern slopes of the mountain ranges receive more precipitation than the western ones. The river network is poorly developed. A large area is occupied by solonchaks.

The vegetation has a xerophytic appearance, the monte-type shrub formation is widespread. At an altitude of 500-1000 m, the remains of subtropical forests with hard-leaved evergreen trees and shrubs have been preserved. Above 2500 m the mountain cereal steppe begins.

To the south, the forests become rarer. In the southwest, large areas are occupied by semi-deserts with gray soils and solonchaks.

The southeastern part of Predkordil-er is occupied by Patagonia. The surface of this natural area is a stepped plateau composed of Meso-Cenozoic deposits. Lowlands are only in the northeast and southeast. The position of Patagonia in temperate latitudes in the zone of western transport, between two oceans, should have led to a mild climate and good development hydraulic networks. main reason The aridity of Patagonia lies in the fact that the westerly winds prevailing in these latitudes carry the humid sea air of the Pacific Ocean and run into the mountain barrier of the Andes. The annual amount of precipitation in Patagonia is 120 - 200 mm. The vegetation cover is dominated by cushion-shaped and creeping forms of shrubs with pronounced xeromorphism; few trees. Among the grasses, thorny nondescript bushes of harili, dense pillows of bolax and azorella are plentiful; there are southern types of cacti.

Among the endemic representatives of the fauna of Patagonia, it is necessary to note the skunk-sa sorillo, fox-like Magellanic dog, Darwin's ostrich (southern species of rhea). Rodents are also characteristic (mara, tuko-tuko, etc.), there are pampas cats, armadillos.

46. Northern Andes (physical and geographical characteristics).

The mountain ranges of the Northern Andes, dissected by river valleys, extend from the shores of the Caribbean Sea to 5 ° S. sh. The North Andes include the Caribbean Andes along the Caribbean coast, the Northwest Andes (Andes of Colombia and Venezuela), and the Andes of Ecuador.

Caribbean Andes unlike other parts of the mountain system, they have a latitudinal strike. These are the northernmost and youngest ranges, they are more arid than the nearby plains. The mountains are almost devoid of forest cover. The main fold formations in the Caribbean Andes occurred in the Pliocene, when two main anticlines arose - the Coastal and Inner Cordillera. They are separated by a longitudinal depression now occupied by lacustrine alluvial deposits. The Caribbean Andes have a distinct winter dry season. The lower belt of mountains is represented by summer-green woodlands or thorny shrubs (chaparro) that develop on red-brown soils. Higher, with decreasing temperatures, precipitation becomes more, so the forests are denser, and at an altitude of 1500-1600 m evergreens appear.

North of the Caribbean Andes are located Caribbean lowlands, composed of alluvium. Lake Maracaibo once occupied the entire lowland, now its area is shrinking due to filling with alluvial sediments. At the same time, coastal regions are experiencing gradual subsidence.

The second tectonic trough is occupied by the lowlands of the Magdalena and Cauca rivers, composed of alluvium and coarse clastic material carried down from the Andean mountain ranges. Northwestern Andes- the most branched and complexly built part of the Andean mountain system. They are located mainly in Colombia. Three main ridges are well expressed here - Western, Central and Eastern Cordillera with a height of more than 5000 m. Among the mountain peaks there are many extinct and active volcanoes. The Central Cordillera reaches the highest average height (Huila volcano, 5750 m, peak Ruiz, 5400 m). Western and Eastern Cordillera below; the latter is divided in the north into two ranges (Sierra de Merida and Sierra de Perija), covering the lowland of Maracaibo. Between the Eastern and Central Cordillera is the valley of the Magdalena River - a graben filled with a thick layer of Cretaceous and Cenozoic deposits. To the north-west along the coast of the Pacific Ocean stretches the low Sierra de Baudo, composed of Cretaceous and Tertiary tuffaceous strata.

The northwestern Andes are located in a subequatorial and equatorial climate. In the direction from north to south, the duration of the dry period gradually decreases, which is practically absent south of Bogotá. Mountain ranges as a whole are abundantly moistened, and on the Pacific coast, due to local circulation and orographic conditions, the amount of precipitation reaches 8000 m ( the largest number In South America). Inland areas are less humidified, but aridity is not pronounced. Climatic features are also reflected in the zonality of the soil and vegetation cover. In the west, on the Pacific coast and the slopes of the Sierra de Baudo, a dense mountain hylaea is formed. To the east, the amount of precipitation decreases, therefore, the lower parts of the slopes are covered with summer-green light forests and shrubs, higher - with mixed, deciduous-evergreen forests, and only at an altitude of 1000 m does wet mountain hylaia begin. There are toquilla palm, balsa wood with very light wood, a number of tree species typical of the Amazon. The avifauna is richly represented - up to 1500 species. Parrots, hummingbirds, as well as a sunbird are characteristic.

Higher, as the temperature decreases, belts of light forests and crooked forests appear, at an altitude of 2500-3500 m mountain meadows paramos stretch.

Geological structure, relief, minerals of South America

Even higher are peculiar associations of highlands of herbaceous vegetation with individual shrubs and cacti. The inner slopes of the northwestern Andes are drier. Hard-leaved or summer-green forests grow here.

Andes of Ecuador(from 2°N to 5°S) - the most narrow part Andes, high-mountainous and tectonically active. Two parallel chains are well expressed in them - the Eastern Cordillera and the Western Cordillera, separated by a number of intermountain basins. Overall Width mountain system here is about 90 km. The ridges consist of separate mountain ranges, separated by saddles, weakly expressed in the relief. The main peaks are, as a rule, active and extinct volcanoes, including the highest of them, the Chimborazo volcano (6267 m). The active volcanoes of Cotopaxi, Antisana, Sangai are known. Intermountain basins are located at an altitude of 2500-2800 m, they are filled with a thickness of volcanic ash, tuffs and alluvium. The epicenters of earthquakes are most often located in the region of the intermountain valley that separates these chains of the Cordilleras.

To the west of the Andes mountain range, there is a strip of the Costa coastal plain, with a hot and humid climate. Here there is a rapid decrease in precipitation from 1200-1500 mm in the northern part (with high relative humidity) to 400 mm in the south. These changes are also reflected in the vegetation cover. Savannas with patches of moist equatorial forests, occupying northern part The bones are gradually replaced to the south by dry-steppe vegetation. In the mountainous part, vertical zonality is well expressed. Up to 800-1000 m, the change in climate and vegetation cover is still weakly felt, then the amount of precipitation noticeably increases, the amplitude of temperatures decreases with their general decrease. Cinchona, balsa, and ceiba appear in this belt. From a height of 1500-1800 m, palm trees disappear, and tree-like ferns become more numerous. Above 3000 m, vegetation of the paramos type dominates on mountain meadow and mountain steppe soils. Eternal snows begin from a height of 4200-4500 m. The mountain climate is more favorable for human life than the climate of Costa and Gilei.

Lesson content 1.Checking homework.Checking homework. 2. Features of the relief of South America. Features of the relief of South America 3. Scheme "Profile of South America along the equator and parallel 20 0 S" 4. Plain East and Mountain West of the mainland. Plain East and Mountain West of the mainland. 5. Natural phenomena associated with the mobility of the earth's crust in certain parts of the mainland. Natural phenomena associated with the mobility of the earth's crust in certain parts of the mainland. 6. Minerals of South America. Minerals of South America. 7. Let's check our knowledge. Let's check our knowledge. eight. Homework.Homework.

Checking homework Filling in the contour map. The content of the text of the paragraph on geographical discoveries and exploration of South America. Characteristics of the physical geographical location South America. Let's remember! 1. Landforms. 2. Connection between the structure of the earth's crust and landforms. 3. Types of rocks by origin. 4.Communication between geological structure territory and accommodation different types mineral. MountainsPlainsLowlandsmHighlandsmPlatelandsLow mMid-altitude mHigh More than 5000 mHighest Altitude

Features of the relief of South America Task: to determine the features of the relief of the mainland. a) Describe the relief of the mainland according to the plan. b) Explain the reason for the features of the placement of landforms of the mainland, using a physical map and a map of the structure of the earth's crust. c) Compare the relief of Africa, Australia and South America. Explain the reasons for similarities and differences.

Profile of South America along the equator Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean 1000 m 2000 m 3000 m 4000 m 5000 m 6000 m Andes Amazonian lowland? 2-? Guiana Highlands

Reference and information material The highest peaks of South America NazvanieVysota, mStrana Akonkagua6920Argentina Ilyamani6882Boliviya Ojos del Salado6880Argentina Chile Uaskaran6807Peru Ilyampu6485Boliviya Chimboraso6267Ekvador Sahama6520Boliviya Koropuna6425Peru Active volcanoes Lyulyaylyako6723Chili Argentina San Pedro6154Chili Chachani6075Peru Kotopahi5897Ekvador

The highest mountain peaks of the Earth 0 m 3050 m 9140 m 1520 m 4579 m 6100 m 7620 m Asia: JOMOLUNGMA (Nepal-China, 8848 m) 6959 m) Europe: ELBRUS (Russia, 5642 m) Africa: KILIMANJARO (Tanzania, 5895 m) Antarctica: WILSON MASS, Sentinel Range (4897 m) Australia: KOSTSYUSHKO (New South Wales, 2228 m)

The mountainous West Andes stretch along the entire west coast South America from the shores of the Caribbean Sea to Cape Horn. The length of the mountains is km (1 place in the world). The structure of the Andes is complex: the Western, or Main, Cordillera stretches across the entire mainland. In the northern part of the mainland, the Eastern Cordillera stretches parallel to it. Between them lies the wide (more than 500 km) highlands of Pune. The Andes reach their greatest width in the central part. This is the Cordillera Central. To the south stretches the Patagonian Cordillera. G. Aconcagua - the highest peak in South America Chimborazo - an extinct volcano Antiplano Puna Pass in the Andes

Plain East Plain East the following landforms are distinguished: the Amazonian lowland, the Orinok lowland, the Guiana Highlands, the Brazilian Plateau, the La Plata Lowland, and the Patagonia Plateau. Brazilian Plateau Guiana Highlands Patagonia Plateau East Andean Foothills Amazonian Lowland

Fill in the blanks The Andes Mountains formed in the zone of interaction between _____________ and _______________ lithospheric plates. Earthquakes are frequent in them because ____________________________________________________________ Huge reserves of ore minerals belong to the tectonic structures of the ______________ belt and ______________ platform. They are represented by such minerals as _________________. The depressions of the platform correspond to deposits ________________. Let's test our knowledge

1. In the east of the mainland there are plains, different in height. 2. The highest point of the Andes - the city of Aconcagua. 3. At the base of most of the mainland lies the Pacific lithospheric plate. 4. There are large deposits of copper ore in the Andes. 5. In the center of the mainland is the Amazonian lowland - the largest on Earth. 6. Andes - old low mountains. 7. The Guiana Highlands are located in the south of the mainland. 8. Pune is a plateau in the Central Andes. 9. The author of the book "The Lost World" was Jules Verne. 10. Plateaus are areas with a flat surface and gentle slopes. 11. Tepui are located only on the Guiana Highlands. 12. The Brazilian plateau is rich in minerals of igneous origin. 13. Oil is produced in the north of the mainland. 14. Earthquakes are rare in the Andes. 15. The Chilean earthquake of 1960 is one of the most catastrophic in the geological history of the Earth. 16. Chimborazo is a volcano located closest to the center of the Earth. Do you agree that…

Homework 1. Study a paragraph of the textbook on the topic. 2. Know the nomenclature on the topic; be able to show landforms of the mainland on a wall map. 3. Optional: draw drawings on the topics: "The surface of South America", "Volcanic eruption"; "Amazon lowland", etc.; compile a “Mini Toponymic Dictionary of the Relief of South America” (use the toponymic dictionary of E.M. Pospelov from the office library); perform a creative task: create a slide show or presentation based on the chapters of the novel by J. Verne "Children of Captain Grant", which describes the adventures of heroes in the Andes and Patagonia.

The bowels of South America, due to the unique relief, are exceptionally rich in deposits of iron and porphyry copper ores, ores of tin, antimony and other ores of ferrous, non-ferrous and rare metals, as well as silver, gold and platinum.

The troughs of the Andes, the territory of Venezuela and the Caribbean in large quantities contain deposits of oil and natural gas. There are also small deposits of coal on the continent.

In addition to oil and precious metals, the subsoil of South America is full of such riches as diamonds, emeralds and other precious and ornamental stones.

Features of the relief of South America and their impact on mineral deposits

South America is usually divided into two geologically different parts: the eastern part, which is based on the ancient South American platform, with elevated territories in the Guiana and Brazilian Highlands, and the western part, along which the longest land mountain range of the Andes stretches. Therefore, the mainland is rich both in minerals formed on the plains and plateaus, and in rocks and minerals formed as a result of volcanic activity.

The Andes are rich in ores of ferrous and non-ferrous metals of metamorphic and magmatic origin, including zinc, tin, copper, iron, antimony, lead and others. Also in the mountains is the extraction of precious stones and metals (silver, gold, platinum).

The eastern highlands of the continent are rich in deposits of rare ores from which zirconium, uranium, nickel, bismuth and titanium are mined, as well as deposits of beryl ( precious stone). The occurrence of ores and beryl are associated with volcanic activity and the release of magma to the surface.

Extensive deposits of oil and natural gas have been formed in platform troughs, intermountain and foothill depressions. Due to the processes of weathering of the earth's crust, aluminum deposits appeared in the bowels of the continent. And biochemical processes in a company with a desert climate “worked” on the droppings of seabirds, as a result of which deposits of Chilean saltpeter appeared on the continent.

Types of minerals in South America

Combustible minerals:

coal (Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina) is one of the most demanded energy resources in the world;
oil (Caribbean) - a liquid oily substance, the occurrence of which is confined to continental depressions and margins;
natural gas.

Ferrous metal ores

Iron(deposits in Venezuela). It is used for smelting steel and alloys; it is contained in the composition of such minerals as limonite, hematite, chamosite, magnetite, etc.

Manganese(deposits in Brazil). It is used in the smelting of alloy cast iron and steel.

Chrome ores(reserves in Brazil). Chromium is an indispensable component of heat-resistant and stainless steel.

Ores of non-ferrous metals

Represented by bauxite reserves, from which aluminum(appreciated due to its lightness, hypoallergenicity and ease of processing), vanadium and tungsten ores.

There are huge deposits copper ores(copper is widely used in the electrical and engineering industries).

The bowels of the continent are rich lead(Peru) used in automotive, construction and other fields, nickel(used for the production of nickel steel and various metal coatings), zinc, tin("tin belt" stretching through Bolivia), molybdenum, bismuth(metal is mined directly from bismuth ore only in Bolivia), antimony (used for the production of fire retardants).

precious metal ores

The continent is rich platinum and silver ores, as well as deposits gold. Noble metals are extremely resistant to corrosion and have a special brilliance in products used for the production of jewelry, expensive tableware and luxury goods, as well as in industry.

Ores of rare and rare earth metals

Niobium and tantalum- rare metals used for the production of high-strength alloys and metal-cutting tools. Rare earth metals are found on the continent in the composition lithium, niobium and beryllium ores.

Non-metallic minerals of the continent:

sodium nitrate (Chile);
native sulfur (Chile, Peru, Columlia, Venezuela);
gypsum;
rock salt;
fluorite, etc.
diamonds (Brazil, Venezuela, etc.);
beryl, tourmaline and topaz - minerals formed in granite pegmatites (Brazil);
amethyst (formed in quartz veins);
agate (formed in Mesozoic basalts);
emeralds (large deposit in Colombia).

Gems:

Resources and major mineral deposits

Consider briefly the main mineral deposits of South America. Chile ranks second in the world in molybdenum production, has the world's largest reserves of sodium nitrate (about 300 million tons, a deposit in the Atacama Desert) and the largest copper reserves on the continent.

Coal mining in South America is concentrated in Colombia in the area of the huge El Serrejon coal mine, where the fossil is mined in an open way. The largest oil and gas basin - Maracaibo - is located in the territories of Colombia and Venezuela, which is the leading supplier of oil on the continent. Oil is also produced in the territories of Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuela accounts for 4.3% of world oil production.

Brazil, rich in rare ores and minerals, has 13% of the world's tantalum reserves, and is also the world's largest producer of raw materials from niobium (about 80% of the world's total).

Peru owns 11.4% of the world's copper reserves, and the entire continent as a whole - about 56 million tons of the world's iron ore reserves. The Andes contain some of the largest deposits of silver, molybdenum, zinc, tungsten and lead on Earth.