4 Fascinating Facts About the Andes Mountains

The Andes mountains we know today were formed when Pangea started to break up, and several rifts and cracks started to form. This was during the Jurassic and Triassic periods. However, the current shape of Andes was formed during the Cretaceous era.

The Andes mountains greatly influence the temperature of the surrounding areas. They dissect South America in two and stretch over seven countries. They go all the way from Venezuela to Patagonia and make for the continent’s most diverse and magnificent natural landscape.

Here are some fascinating facts about the Andes Mountains and how you can embark on a biking adventure.

Numerous Mountain Chains

The Andes mountains are over 50 million years old, and they formed when the Pacific and South American tectonic plates crashed into one another. These mountains have numerous mountain chains within them, and they’re joined together. These joints are called orographic knots. Many famous modern-day cities sit on the Andean plateaus and have made for great human settlements.

Volcanic Andean Peaks

A vast majority of Andean peaks are volcanic. You can find the highest active volcano on this planet, called Ojos del Salado, along the border, joining Chile and Argentina. Another volcanic peak that’s easy to reach, Cotopaxi, lies south of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. However, the major threat of an imminent eruption of ice comes from the Cotopaxi glaciers. The highest peak in the Andes mountain ranges is Mt. Aconcagua, which soars as high as 6,962m.

World’s Largest Mineral Deposit

The world’s largest gold mine can be found in Peru’s gold mine called Yanacocha. It produces more than half of the copper mined in the world. There are almost 750 million metric tonnes of copper deposited in the Andes and almost 13,000 tonnes of gold along with 250,000 tonnes of silver. Twenty million tonnes of a mineral that is used to harden steel can also be found here. It’s called Molybdenum.

A Playground for Travelers

The Andes mountains are an active and promising destination for climbing, hiking, cycling, stargazing, and so much more. Travelers from all over Latin America love the high altitudes of these ranges as they make for the most phenomenal adventures.

If you’re ready to hit the Andes, reach out to Colombian Andes Mountain Bike Tours for guided mountain bike tours in the Colombian Andes. They offer thrilling mountain biking tours, so be ready for an exciting adventure. Do you want a 40% discount as we enter the new year, 2022? Colombian Andes are offering multiple discounts for their tours in 2022. The tour would include: double room accommodations, hotel insurance, private transportation, airport hotel, all private ground transportation, mountain bikes with front suspension, professional private cycling guide. Reach out to them today for a pre-planned tour on your visit to Colombia.