Is This The Oldest Rock On Earth?
Well, that’s what I read on the National Geographic Adventure site on Facebook…they didn’t have the credit for the person who was responsible for this photo, but bravo to them for capturing an incredible sight – Mount Roraima!
Mount Roraima is the highest of the Pacaraima chain of tepuis or plateaux in South America. It is located at the junction of Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela. A characteristic large flat-topped mountain surrounded by cliffs 400–1,000 m high.
As they posted on FB:
“The oldest place on planet Earth is in Venezuela and it is called Mount Roraima, in Venezuela, one of the most beautiful and impressive natural wonders in the world. For more than 500 years, scientists around the world have attempted to decipher the unique geological origin of Mount Roraima, southern Venezuela. In addition to rising almost 3,000 meters above sea level, the mountain has an unnatural morphology, which seems to have been cut with knives due to the precision of its million-year-old angles. This rock formation is the largest of its kind in all of South America and is part of the Pakaraima mountain range. For more than 5 centuries, it has intrigued historians, geologists, and other scientists because it is a mountain without a point. The top of Mount Roraima is completely horizontal and occupies an area of more than 30 square kilometers, surrounded by waterfalls, cliffs, and other rare geographical features in the world. Seen this way, it could be considered an island in the heights. Mount Roraima is home to a great diversity of endemic plant and animal species. Geologists and biologists from around the world estimate that it hides some of the species that science has no record of since there are spaces in the mountain that still remain unexplored. 𝙎𝙪 𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣 𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤. It is thought that Mount Roraima was the product of a large earthquake in the past. However, its origin is not certain, since geological features that were created in similar ways do not have that shape. This has led scientists to think that it may be the oldest rock formation on Earth.”
What a stunning area – but it seems very difficult to actually see in person, in fact, this area is close to where a brilliant Travel Writer explored one of the most isolated and deadly places on earth:
Gimlette’s writing is up close and intense: he shares his dangerous travels to this remote part of the world in South America. The countries of Guyana, Suriname and Guyane, very close to Mount Roraima:
Between the Orinoco and the Amazon lies a fabulous forested land, barely explored. Much of Guiana seldom sees sunlight, and new species are often tumbling out of the dark. Shunned by the conquistadors, it was left to others to carve into colonies. Guyana, Suriname and Guyane Fran�aise are what remain of their contest, and the 400 years of struggle that followed.Now, award-winning author John Gimlette sets off along this coast, gathering up its astonishing story. His journey takes him deep into the jungle, from the hideouts of runaway slaves to penal colonies, outlandish forts, remote Amerindian villages, a ‘Little Paris’ and a space port. He meets rebels, outlaws and sorcerers; follows the trail of a vicious Georgian revolt, and ponders a love-affair that changed the face of slavery. Here too is Jonestown, where, in 1978, over 900 Americans committed suicide. The last traces are almost gone now, as the forest closes in. Beautiful, bizarre and occasionally brutal, this is one of the great forgotten corners of the the Wild Coast.
I love Gimlette’s books, including three written from South America, along with one on Sri Lanka and another that takes you deep inside the island of Madagascar…fascinating! Oh, and he’s a lover of fish too:
His memoir of Newfoundland and Labrador is incredible…check it out here!
I share these stories because I love the incredible places on our planet that are unique and distinctive – and the people who shares their travels with us, like this one!
Have you been to the “roof of the world?”
I wish I could go, and maybe will one day, but for now, read all about it here!
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Categories: Books / Media, Exotic Travel, Memoirs, nature, Pop Culture, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
Hi John, very interesting pictures. I have never heard of this rock.
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So cool! I guess there really is interesting information on Facebook outside of pictures of my precious granddaughter!
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Mount Roraima really is incredible. What a photograph! Exploring South America had to be brave and scary.
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I am truly shaking my head! Each of us is ‘good’ at certain things and disinterested or ignorant in others . . . I have loved geography from childhood and been lucky to travel much of the world. I have a pretty good ‘eye-memory’ but have absolutely never-ever seen this rock and, until you just told me, had any idea where it could have been! How absolutely beautiful in shape . . . and the photos do it justice . . . thank you so much for posting!!!
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Now that’s a rock. Ha, ha.
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This is new to me.
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It showed up on a National Geographic Facebook post and when I searched for more info, it turns out to be Tre – and so buried away in an isolated area that it’s not on anyone’s travel plans!
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wow, I’ve never heard of this. while the odds are slim to none that I will never see this in person, it is fascinating.
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Beth, I don’t think very many people at all will ever see it – so isolated but cool! Thanks for the comment!
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Thanks for this, John, I had never heard of that amazing place. Shared on Twitter.
Best wishes, Pete.
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