Andes - case study of fold mountains

Andes - case study of fold mountains

1. Where?

   • longest range of fold mountains in world
     • 7,000Km
   • Length of S. America
   • average height of 4,000m

2. Cause?

   • Nazca plate and SAmerican plate
   • destructive plate margin

3. Opportunities for people

   • Farming
     • potatoes - main source of food
       • also soybeans, rice and cotton
     • steep slopes are overcome by the use of terraces
       • terraces also retain what little rain is received
     • Llamas also reared
       • carry materials for irrigation and buildings into otherwise inaccessible areas
       • can carry 25% of its bodyweight
       • female llamas also used for meat and milk, their wool for clothes and rugs
   • Mining
     • ranks in ton ten countries for tin, nickel, silver and gold
     • more than half Peru's exports are from mining
     • Yanacocha gold mine is largest in the world
       • however the gold bearing rock is sprayed with cyanide and gold extracted from resulting solution can lead to water contamination
     • Cajamarca grown from 30,000 when mine because to 240,000
       • growth means jobs but also lack of services and increased crime rate
   • HEP
     • steep slopes and narrow valleys are more easily dammed
     • relief encourages rapid flow of water
     • melting snow in spring increases water supply
     • variation throughout the year is a disadvantage
   • Tourism
     • Many natural attractions
       • peaks, volcanoes, glaciers and lakes
     • Inca early settlements and Inca trail
       • trail consists of three routes that join at Machu Picchu