Not too many cities in the world hold an allure quite like Rio de Janerio. Resting on the southern edge of Brazil (Brasil), this metropolis was our final destination in Brazil, and well worth the wait. With a short flight from Salvador we arrived this 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics host city. With less than 5 days to explore we made the most our time, including the signature spots from Christ the Redeemer (offering busy crowds but gorgeous views) to the buzzing beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.

One of my favorite shows and a big inspiration for my own travels was Departures, and I remembered the episode when they were in Rio and went hang gliding. Thus, finding myself in Rio…

Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro Brazil Adventure Travel Adrenaline
Hang Gliding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I would highly recommend doing it. It’s a bit pricey but gives you an amazing experience where you get to catch thermals and flying over the gorgeous city. From a bird’s eye view you can really notice the unique mountainous seascape that befalls Rio. Vertical domes (like the famous sugarloaf) protrude from the ground and are encompassed by the rich-green rain forest.

So of course, being an all-around lover of earth science (especially cool rock formations), I wanted to find out more about these domes and their unique relationship with the rain forest to share with you!

Rio de Janeiro View City Ocean sugarloaf travel adventure brazil
View of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with sugarloaf (left side in the background)

Giants of the city and jungle

These dramatic, steep-sided mountains are the result of some collaborative forces. They are composed mostly of metamorphosed granite. They are intrusion that initially formed underground, and have since been exposed on the surface due to uplift over time, and a combination of fractures, weathering, and climate.

Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janerio Brazil exfoliation dome rainforest Atlantic adventure travel
Another steep-sided exfoliation (less dramatic) dome, with a familiar figure on top

In the Cretaceous time period, Africa and South America separated to form the Atlantic Ocean, and this resulted in crustal stresses and fractures in the region. Fractures create weaknesses in rocks, which are then exploited by tropical chemical weathering (i.e. by water interacting with minerals in the rocks to create chemical reactions). Over the years Rio’s climate allowed this to flourish with consistent swings in temperature, resulting in the outer layers to peel away, giving an onion skin appearance known as exfoliation sheets. Sort of like an onion, the outer granite “skin sheds” on exposure, and falls into the valleys below to be eroded faster, thus in turn steeping the slopes of theses sugarloaf-domes.

exfoliation dome, rio de janeiro, brasil, brazil
Exfoliation Dome Figure from Owen et al. at University of Leicester (2011), modified after Thomas (1978)

Now this plays a key role in creating a safe haven for the many endangered animals and plants of the Atlantic Rainforest, which has already been reduced to < 7% of its original distribution due to deforestation. We went for a hike in Parque Nacional da Tijuca which is part of this Atlantic rain forest that surrounds Rio de Janeiro.

Old castle ruins Parque Nacional da Tijuca Rio de Janeiro Brazil Adventure Travel
Old castle ruins in Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Wandering around you can tell how these steep valley floor (due to the sugarloaf-domes ramparts) forests are more diverse and have rich supplies of water and soil to support the thick, full tree canopies.

The sugarloaf-domes also support summit and shoulder forests, which are isolated and perched on high steep slopes. The environment there is harsh with little soil, nutrients or water but allow host to a vast array of specialized vegetation.

Brazilian Fruit in Rio de Janeiro Brazil vegetation travel adventure
Brazilian Fruit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazilian Flower in Rio de Janeiro Brazil Adventure Travel Vegetation
Brazilian Flower in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Parque Nacional da Tijuca Rio de Janeiro Brazil Atlantic Rainforest adventure travel
Nadine in Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Final Thoughts

Rio de Janerio is definitely worth a visit, and I would love to return one day. It is a city of rich beauty, but of course also lots of underlying poverty. There are many things Rio has to offer, from delicious Brazilian fruits and açaĂ­ berries, to the sunny beaches and exciting football, and of course the gorgeous seaside landscape. To be able to learn a bit more about the foundations and formations of such a spectacular place makes it all the more rewarding for me to enjoy! Thus ends my travel trip in Brazil with my sister. You can check out her final video of Wild Nights in Rio, we missed the carnival but there is always good times to be had in Rio.

-Stephanie

Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janerio Brazil 7 wonders of world landmark adventure travel south america
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janerio, Brazil
Copacabana Beach Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America Adventure Travel
Myself at Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Brazil, Ecology, Geology, Geomorphology, Physical Geography, Science, South America, Travel

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