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'''Sima Humboldt''' (Sima Major) is an enormous [[sinkhole]] located on the summit of the plateau of [[Sarisariñama]] [[tepui]] in [[Bolívar State (Venezuela)|Bolívar State]], [[Venezuela]]. It is unusual for several reasons, including its enormous size and depth, its location on the top of the only forested [[tepui]], having a patch of forest on its base and also due to the rare [[quartzite]] weathering process that formed this sinkhole. The feature is named after scientist and explorer [[Alexander von Humboldt]]. |
'''Sima Humboldt''' (Sima Major) is an enormous [[sinkhole]] located on the summit of the plateau of [[Sarisariñama]] [[tepui]] in [[Bolívar State (Venezuela)|Bolívar State]], [[Venezuela]]. It is unusual for several reasons, including its enormous size and depth, its location on the top of the only forested [[tepui]], having a patch of forest on its base and also due to the rare [[quartzite]] weathering process that formed this sinkhole. The feature is named after scientist and explorer [[Alexander von Humboldt]]. |
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Together with the neighbouring [[Sima Martel]] it was first spotted in 1961 by pilot Harry Gibson |
Together with the neighbouring [[Sima Martel]] it was first spotted in 1961 by pilot Harry Gibson.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sil.si.edu/smithsoniancontributions/botany/pdf_hi/sctb-0056.pdf|author=Huber, Otto and Wurdack, John J.|title=History of Botanical Exploration in Territorio Federal Amazonas, Venezuela|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press, City of Washington|date=1984}}</ref> |
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The sinkhole was descended for the first time in 1974 and more thoroughly explored in 1976. Its volume is {{Convert|18,000,000|m3|abbrev=on}} whilst the maximum width at its upper rim is {{Convert|352|m|abbrev=on}} and {{Convert|502|m|abbrev=on}} below |
The sinkhole was descended for the first time in 1974 and more thoroughly explored in 1976. Its volume is {{Convert|18,000,000|m3|abbrev=on}} whilst the maximum width at its upper rim is {{Convert|352|m|abbrev=on}} and {{Convert|502|m|abbrev=on}} below.<ref>(In Spanish) Miguel Lentino, Diana Esclasans: Important Areas for the Conservation of Birds in Venezuela in: Birdlife and Conservation International. Important Areas for the Conservation of Birds in the Tropical Andes: Priority Sites for the Maintenance of Biodiversity (Áreas Importantes Para La Conservación De Las Aves En Venezuela In: BirdLife International y Conservation International. Áreas Importantes para la Conservación de las Aves en los Andes Tropicales: sitios prioritarios para la conservación de la biodiversidad.), Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International (Serie de Conservación de BirdLife No. 14), S. 621-730, 2005.</ref> |
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Only 700 metres from the rim of Sima Humboldt there is another enormous sinkhole - [[Sima Martel]]. In total there are four quartzite caves on Sarisariñama. |
Only 700 metres from the rim of Sima Humboldt there is another enormous sinkhole - [[Sima Martel]]. In total there are four quartzite caves on Sarisariñama. |
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Revision as of 13:19, 13 December 2011
| Sima Humboldt | |
|---|---|
| File:Sarisarinama.jpg Sima Humboldt is seen in middle part of picture, in the far background - Sima Martel | |
| Location | Venezuela, Bolívar (state), Sarisariñama |
| Coordinates | 4°41′08″N 64°13′07″W / 4.6855°N 64.2185°W |
| Depth | 314 m (1,030 ft) |
| Discovery | 1961 |
| Geology | Quartzite |
| Access | By special researcher permit only |
Sima Humboldt (Sima Major) is an enormous sinkhole located on the summit of the plateau of Sarisariñama tepui in Bolívar State, Venezuela. It is unusual for several reasons, including its enormous size and depth, its location on the top of the only forested tepui, having a patch of forest on its base and also due to the rare quartzite weathering process that formed this sinkhole. The feature is named after scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt.
Together with the neighbouring Sima Martel it was first spotted in 1961 by pilot Harry Gibson.[1]
The sinkhole was descended for the first time in 1974 and more thoroughly explored in 1976. Its volume is 18,000,000 cubic metres (640,000,000 cu ft)* whilst the maximum width at its upper rim is 352 metres (1,155 ft)* and 502 metres (1,647 ft)* below.[2]
Only 700 metres from the rim of Sima Humboldt there is another enormous sinkhole - Sima Martel. In total there are four quartzite caves on Sarisariñama.
See also
References
- ^ Huber, Otto and Wurdack, John J. (1984). "History of Botanical Exploration in Territorio Federal Amazonas, Venezuela" (PDF). Smithsonian Institution Press, City of Washington.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ (In Spanish) Miguel Lentino, Diana Esclasans: Important Areas for the Conservation of Birds in Venezuela in: Birdlife and Conservation International. Important Areas for the Conservation of Birds in the Tropical Andes: Priority Sites for the Maintenance of Biodiversity (Áreas Importantes Para La Conservación De Las Aves En Venezuela In: BirdLife International y Conservation International. Áreas Importantes para la Conservación de las Aves en los Andes Tropicales: sitios prioritarios para la conservación de la biodiversidad.), Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International (Serie de Conservación de BirdLife No. 14), S. 621-730, 2005.
4°41′7″N 64°13′7″W / 4.68528°N 64.21861°W{{#coordinates:}}: cannot have more than one primary tag per page