SAP: Ecuador Trip Proposal. Outline Geology of Ecuador Other interesting features Cost and logistics.
Post on 20-Dec-2015
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SAP: Ecuador Trip Proposal
Outline
• Geology of Ecuador
• Other interesting features
• Cost and logistics
Ecuador: A classic example of subduction
• Subduction of Nazca plate under South American plate
• Accretion of terranes• Volcanism• Metamorphism• Pre-cambrian
orogens• Mineral deposits
Geology: Metamorphism
Guamote formation: folded, banded black slates and
quartzites
Progressive metamorphism in El Oro
Slump folds in turbidites
Schists with incipient migmatic veins
High-grade schists
More metamorphism
Condue granite cut by felsite sheets with chilled margins
Cerro Hermoso: folded carbonate series
Rift Valleys
Quilotoa
Intag
Volcanoes
• 12 volcanic peaks >5000 m
• Stratovolcanoes• Compound volcanoes• Calderas• “Inverted soup bowl”
and shield• Some still active• Some accessible w/o
extensive climbing experience
Chimborazo: furthest point from the earth’s center
Cotopaxi: one of the highest active volcanoes in the world
Volcán Fernandina: “Inverted Soup Bowl”
Unusual shield volcano morphology
May result from distribution of vents or pattern of magma intrusion
Hot springs and páramos
Glacier-formed valleys and plains
unique neotropical ecosystem
Diverse Ecosystems. . .
. . .and their inhabitants
Travel
• Round trip airfare = $600-$800/person
• Car rental: $50-$100 per day, depending on size
• Public bus = cheap• Hire bus or van with
driver -- find out• Small country -- less
time spent on the road
Food and lodging
• Accommodations cheap ($5-$15 per person per night)
• Food cheap ($1.50 - $5.00 per meal to eat out)
• Lots of great tropical fruits
• Some interesting local specialties
Health and Safety• Politically stable and
tranquil (for Latin America)
• No travel warnings or advisories
• Tourism infrastructure• Some vaccinations
recommended (yellow fever, Hep A, Hep B, typhoid)
• Medical care “adequate in larger cities” (US Dept. of State)
Local contacts
• Presence of mining = lots of geologists
• School for International Training
• INTAG newspaper• Local and national
environmental organizations
• Fluent in Spanish and familiar with the country
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