Andes

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Note that the geology in this article currently reflects views from the first decade of the 20th century. It is a good example of the descriptive geology of that time, but because it is pre-plate tectonics, it cannot be relied on when explaining the existence of these ranges and some of the structural commentary. If you update this article with more current information, please remove this disclaimer.

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The Andes is a vast mountain system forming a continuous chain of highland along the western coast of South America. It is roughly 7000 km (4400 mi) long, 500 km (300 mi) wide in some parts (widest between 18° to 20° S latitude), and of an average height of about 4000 m (13,000 ft).

Related Topics:
Mountain - Chain - South America

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The connection of this system with that of the Rocky Mountains, which has been pointed out by many writers, has received much support from the discovery of the extensive eruptions of granite during Tertiary times, extending from the southern extremity of South America to Alaska.

Related Topics:
Rocky Mountains - South America - Alaska

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The Andean range is composed of two great principal chains with a deep intermediate depression, in which, and at the sides of the great chains, arise other chains of minor importance, the chief of which is that called the Cordillera de la Costa of Chile. This starts from the southern extremity of the continent and runs in a northerly direction, parallel with the coast, being broken up at its beginning into a number of islands and afterwards forming the western boundary of the great central valley of Chile. To the north this coastal chain continues in small ridges or isolated hills along the Pacific Ocean as far as Venezuela, always leaving the same valley more or less visible to the west of the western great chain.

Related Topics:
Andean - Depression - Cordillera de la Costa - Chile - Continent - Valley - Pacific Ocean - Venezuela

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