Geological Structure and Characteristics of Western Venezuela

Characteristics of the Lake Maracaibo Depression

The Lake Maracaibo Depression is located in the northwest of the country, situated between the Andes and the Cordillera Sierra de Perijá. Its extension covers approximately 70,000 km². The structure is determined by the Falcón-Lara-Yaracuy Depression, which serves as the transition zone between the Cordillera de la Costa and the Andes.

Key Sub-Depressions

• The Depression of Barquisimeto
• Carora
• The Murky Yaracuy Depression

Low and High Levels

The lower level refers to all those lands that stretch along the banks of the left bank of the Orinoco River bottom.

Andean Geography and the Cordillera de Mérida

Location and Origin

The Andean geography is located in northwestern Venezuela, intertwined within the Andean Arc in the Cordillera de Mérida. It is the youngest orogenic formation in the country, having risen during the Cenozoic (Tertiary) period.

Geological Characteristics

1. It has steep slopes, ending both in the western plains and in the Depression of Zulia.
2. There are numerous faults that pass through large masses of rocks, which in turn are intensely folded.
3. Establishment of river terraces.
4. Many erosional valleys cut the range in various directions.

The Sierra de Perijá Range

Location and Formations

The Sierra de Perijá starts at the junction of Pamplona (Colombia) and runs south to north, finishing at the top of the Cedar of the Guajira Peninsula. Its course differentiates the following formations:

Sierra de Motilones

This section (intermediate Black River) reaches the greatest height of any peak in the Andes at 3,750 meters.

Sierra de Valledupar

Located between the Black River bridges and 10° 51' N, it is separated from the Sierra de Perijá through the valleys of the Guasare and Upon rivers. Its maximum height is the Guasare Hill, reaching 3,000 meters (a selvatic sector). The Perijá range parallels the Upar Valley. Due to the great erosion it has been subjected to, formations are presented at the foot of the mountain.

Montes de Oca and the Cordillera de Mérida Trajectory

Montes de Oca

The Montes de Oca starts in the vicinity of Valledupar at altitudes below 1,000 meters, ending in the Guajira Peninsula in the High Cedar (200 meters).

Cordillera de Mérida Trajectory

The Cordillera de Mérida starts at the Depression of the Táchira and follows a southwest to northwest trajectory toward the Páramo de Cendé. From this páramo, it begins bifurcating and descending into two mountains.