Chihuahua relief main characteristics

2031
Charles McCarthy
Chihuahua relief main characteristics

The Chihuahua relief, state located to the northwest of Mexico, contains two large provinces: the western sierra mother, which occupies 57% of the state territory, and the northern mountains and plains that occupy the remaining 43%.

But there are three large regions that make up the state of Chihuahua: The Sierra, the Plain and the Desert. The diversity of its relief has allowed the development of tourism, since it is possible to find snow-capped mountains, ravines covered with alpine forests and a great desert in the same area..

The state of Chihuahua has an area of ​​245,000 square kilometers and has among its relief important rivers, lagoons and surface water dams, as well as groundwater wells..

Region of the mountains and plains of the north

Four subprovinces make up this region of the state of Chihuahua:

-The plains and dunes of the north, with heavy presence of alluvial rains, steep mountain ranges and dune fields.

-The North Folded Sierras, made up of small hills interrupted by other types of folded mountain ranges.

-Another subprovince that is part of this region is the Bolson de Mapimí, with small steep and folded mountain ranges, as well as steep and branched hills..

-Finally, it is possible to find the desert-like volcanic plains and mountain ranges, but with some areas where water can accumulate during the rainy season..

The Sierra Madre Occidental

The Sierra de Chihuahua is located in the northernmost area of ​​the Sierra Madre Occidental, reaching its highest height at Cerro Mohinora, with 3300 meters above sea level..

In this area it is possible to find mountain ranges and the Cañadas del norte. There are also the Tarahumaras Plains, the La Montosa mountain range and the Nido mountain range, with heights of up to 2,700 meters above sea level..

The mountains and plains of Durango are also present, a system of small mountain ranges, plateaus and hills.

The Great Plateau and the Chihuahuan Canyons extend over an area of ​​55 kilometers and have quite steep peaks that give this region another shape..

Elevations greater than 1,600 meters above sea level predominate in the eastern sector and are mostly made up of sedimentary and volcanic rocks..

The desert

The Chihuahuan Desert is the largest in North America and has an area of ​​almost 500,000 square kilometers. It is located on the border with the United States and is part of the two countries.

Despite having the name of the state of Chihuahua, it occupies only a third of its territory.

The Chihuahuan desert has an altitude between 600 and 1,675 meters above sea level and has a temperate climate.

The fauna it houses is mainly scrubland and grasslands and among its fauna it has animals such as the rabbit, the hare, the cactus mouse, the fox, the northern roadrunner, the chirrionera snake, the lizard and the coyote..

The Chihuahuan desert area is the only ecoregion, with great terrestrial and aquatic importance. Its lakes, springs, rivers and streams are home to a great variety of freshwater species.

In its basins and rivers it is possible to find turtles and various types of fish.

References

  1. Wilson, J. L. (1975). Regional Mississippian facies and thickness in southern New Mexico and Chihuahua.
  2. Carciumaru, D. D. (2005). Structural geology and tectonics on the northern Chihuahua trough.
  3. Herold, L. C. (1965). Trincheras and Physical Environment along the Rio Gavilan, Chihuahua, Mexico (No. 65-1 DRI-2214). DENVER UNIV COLO DEPT OF GEOGRAPHY.
  4. Keller, P.C., Bockoven, N. T., & McDOWELL, F. W. (1982). Tertiary volcanic history of the Sierra del Gallego area, Chihuahua, Mexico. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 93 (4), 303-314.

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