Different Zones of the Amazon Basin:
Andes: Fold Mountains created by the collision and subduction of
continental plates. The Andes are made of soft sedimentary rock and
therefore are eroded easily. The slopes of the Andes is where many rivers
have their source and v-shaped valleys are evident in this region e.g Napo
valley. Scree slopes are present along with some Volcanic cones e.g. Mt
Sangay. Glaciers and Permanent ice is a real feature of the Andes. Due to
the thin infertile soil and cold climatic conditions vegetation on the upper
slopes is sparse and not very dense. Altitudinal zonation exists with
mosses and lichens dominating the highest slopes. The foothills and
lowers slopes gradually merge into tropical rainforest. The average height
of the Andes mountain range is 4000 metres. The eroded material carried
from the Andes flows down the river white in colour.
Basin:
The Amazon Basin is a formation created by the deposition of transported
alluvial sediment. The large rivers that dominate this region are the main
feature as they act as the transporters of the sediment. The basin is a flat
area that only drops 100 metres from the base of the Andes to the coastal
fringe. The Amazon basin is a large flood plain called the Varzea which
fuels the region with its seasonal floods. Features that dominate here are
the large meandering rivers and there many tribuataries. The meandering
rivers have created Ox bow lakes which are scattered throughout the
Basin. The Vegetation that dominates here is the dense and large Amazon
rainforest. There is clear stratification with very tall trees. Rosewood and
Kapok can measure up to 65 metres tall.
Ancient Plateau’s:
Coastal Fringes: