Chapada dos Veadeiros: The Highest

Landscapes in the Brazilian Central Plateau 20

Osmar Abílio de Carvalho Júnior, Renato Fontes Guimarães,
Éder de Souza Martins, and Roberto Arnaldo Trancoso Gomes

Abstract
The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is a nature conservation protected area, which was
included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in December 2001 because of the
geomorphological and ecological sites that characterize the Brazilian Central Plateau and the
Cerrado Biome. The forms of the Veadeiros plateau have been developed mainly on gently
folded rocks from the Neoproterozoic Araí and Paranoá groups. The elevation of the plateau is
about 1,200 m above mean sea level and is characterized by smooth topography. The edges of
the Veadeiros Plateau are controlled by fault zones showing precipitous escarpments. The
highest step is located in the western part of the plateau where many waterfalls occur along the
rivers descending from the plateau surface. Thus, the park is well known for its natural
landscape of great beauty, particularly due to the waterfalls, vertical escarpments, canyons,
and bedrock rivers. Such a wonderful scene results from differential landscape dissection
controlled by a variety of Neoproterozoic rocks crossed by faults and fractures, mostly
subvertical. In this chapter, we present geological and geomorphological aspects that have
influenced region, considering four environments: (a) Veadeiros Plateau; (b) Preto River in the
region controlled by faults; (c) Escarpment; and (d) Moon Valley.

Keywords
Savanna Tectonic control High plateaus Bedrock rivers

20.1 Introduction fauna, and key habitats that characterize the Cerrado Biome
(Fig. 20.1). In addition, the region is of considerable scenic
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (CVNP) is located in beauty and is composed of wide plateaus with waterfalls and
Central Brazil. The park was included in the World Heritage springs. The uplands give way to deep rocky canyons and
List by UNESCO in December 2001, because of the flora, valleys. The main watercourse is the Preto River, which
flows in a northeast to southwest direction; the northern
extremity of the park is drained by the Santana and Barto-
O.A. de Carvalho Júnior (&)
R.F. Guimarães
R.A.T. Gomes
lomeu rivers.
University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil The CVNP is part of the Brazilian Central Plateau (BCP)
e-mail: [email protected] (altitudes ranges from 577 to 1,676 m) (Fig. 20.2) that forms
R.F. Guimarães a vast level surface which divides three of Brazil’s largest
e-mail: [email protected] river systems: Paraná, São Francisco and Tocantins-
R.A.T. Gomes Araguaia. The main features of BCP are high plateaus and
e-mail: [email protected] intra-plateau depressions, limited by erosional scarps or
É.d.S. Martins gradual transitions. The CVNP corresponds to the uppermost
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) parts of the BCP, having its peak in the region of Pouso Alto
at Cerrado’s Center, Brasilia, Brazil with an altitude of 1,676 m. In this chapter, we describe the
e-mail: [email protected]

B.C. Vieira et al. (eds.), Landscapes and Landforms of Brazil, 221

World Geomorphological Landscapes, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-8023-0_20,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015
222 O.A. de Carvalho Júnior et al.

Fig. 20.1 Panoramic view of the

Chapada dos Veadeiros National
Park presenting its two major
waterfalls: Salto 1 and Salto 2

diversity of landscapes present in the CVNP and its buffer basement of the Araí Group (Pimentel et al. 1991). The Araí
zone with a width of kilometers, which shows spectacular Group and associated magmatism are the result of the major
scenic beauty. Statherian rifting event which affected the São Francisco–
Congo paleocontinent, producing correlative sedimentary
sequences of the Espinhaço (São Francisco craton) and
20.2 Geological and Geomorphological Mayombe supergroups (Congo craton) (Martins-Neto 2000).
Evolution This group is subdivided into the Arraias and Traíras for-
mations (Dyer 1970; Araújo and Alves 1979; Martins 1999).
The assembly of Gondwana occurred through a long succession The Arraias Formation represents the main rifting phase, with
of Neoproterozoic collisional events, known as the Brasiliano or deposition of alluvial fan conglomerates and sandstones as
Pan-African event (Brito Neves et al. 1999; Meert 2003). The well as fluvial sandstones with intercalations of acid volcanic
CVPN is localized in the northern sector of the Brasília fold- and volcaniclastic rocks (rhyodacite, rhyolite, ignimbrites,
and-thrust-belt, which is a major tectonic unit of the Tocantins pyroclastic rocks). There are also intercalations of continental
Province in central Brazil, resulting from the collision episode basalt flows with quartzites and metasiltstones, but the basalts
between São Francisco and Congo cratons. Thus, the Brasília always overlay the acid volcanic sequence (Alvarenga et al.
Belt comprises crustal thrust sheets that converged toward the 2007). The Traíras Formation represents the postrift sedi-
east against the western São Francisco–Congo platform. mentation, with the deposition of a heterolithic assemblage of
Therefore, the Brazilian Central Plateau was always a high stratified siltstones and sandstones in transitional and shallow
region in the postcratonization period, constituting one of the marine environments (Alvarenga et al. 2007). Metamorphic
source areas of sediment to the intracratonic basins of the grades of the Araí Group vary from slightly metamorphic
Amazon, Paraná, and Parnaíba. The geomorphology of CVNP (anchi-metamorphic) to lower greenschist facies. In this
presents a strong lithological and structural control. paper, we used the most recent geological map developed by
The geology of the CVPN is formed mainly by the Araí Campos (2012), which covers a large part of the CVNP,
and Paranoá groups (Fig. 20.2). The Araí Group occurs in containing eight units interleaved with quartzite and meta-
the northern portion of the external zone of the Brasília Belt, siltstone, where one belongs to the Traíras Formation and the
covering the basement granite–gneiss and the Ticunzal others to the Arraias Formation.
Formation, and is covered by the Paranoá Group metase- The Neoproterozoic Paranoá Group covers discordantly
diments. The Araí Group includes quartzites and conglom- the Araí Group. The sedimentary rocks of the Paranoá Group
erates in the basal levels, which give way to predominant comprise a mature siliciclastic sedimentary pile including
calcareous–pelitic rocks toward the top (Dardenne 2000). thick quartzite layers, with the intercalation of metasiltstones
Felsic metavolcanic rocks are intercalated with the basal and minor lenses of limestones and dolostones (Faria
clastic units and are broadly contemporaneous with c. 1.7 Ga 1995). Dardenne and Faria (1985) divided the Paranoá
anorogenic tin-bearing plutonic suites intruded into the Group into nine lithostratigraphic units, beginning with a
20 Chapada dos Veadeiros: The Highest Landscapes in the Brazilian Central Plateau 223

Fig. 20.2 a Chapada dos

Veadeiros National Park location
in Brazilian showing different
relief pattern from colour
composite using terrain attributes:
elevation (Red), slope (Green),
and aspect (Blue), and
b geological map and structural
lineaments map

paraconglomerate, followed by transgressive and regressive overlain by rhythmites with mudcracks and evaporite layers,
siliciclastic dominated cycles, ending with pelites and do- which are typical of tidal to supratidal environments. These
lostones containing Conophyton metulum Kirichenko stro- are followed by marine rhythmites and quartzites deposited
matolites that were described by Cloud and Dardenne in a platform environment dominated by tidal currents. The
(1973). The Paranoá sediments have been interpreted as sediments in the upper portion of the Paranoá Group display
representatives of a passive margin sequence deposited on features indicating more varied environments, reflecting
the western margin of the São Francisco craton (Dardenne important fluctuations of the sea level. In the study area, four
1979; Pimentel et al. 1999). The base of the Paranoá Group units of the Paranoá Group are present: São Miguel, Córrego
is formed by the São Miguel paraconglomerate that is Cordovil, Serra da Boa Vista, and Serra Almécegas.
224 O.A. de Carvalho Júnior et al.

Fig. 20.3 Veadeiros Plateau

aerial view highlights river
bordered by grassy marshes
containing “buriti” palms
crossing open herbaceous
vegetation (a) and abrupt contact
between upland savanna and
grassland (b)

Fonseca et al. (1995) described two parallel fault zones rocks and the Araí Group. This shear zone has dextral
near CVPN region: São Jorge-Alto Paraíso-Cormari fault kinematics, prominent foliation with a subhorizontal linea-
zone (SJACPFZ) and Cavalcante-Terezina fault zone tion, metasomatism, and metamorphism, leading to the for-
(CTFZ). The SJAPCFZ system cuts rocks of the Arai, Par- mation of a rock with quartz and sericite matrix.
anoá, and Bambuí groups and can be delineated from Cor- Campos et al. (2012) describes two larger-scale shear
mari (small village south of the city of Nova Roma) through zones clearly correlated with the two structural systems
the São Bartolomeu River Valley to Alto Paraíso city fol- described by Fonseca et al. (1995): Ribeirão São Miguel
lowing the SSW direction to the São Jorge village. This River Shear Zone (RSMSZ) and Serra de Santana Shear
shear zone is characterized by a subvertical foliation, dextral Zone (SSSZ). The RSMSZ occurs along the homonymous
kinematics, and a meter-scaled width. The CTFZ system is valley, contact between the Araí and Paranoá groups. This
characterized by nearly vertical, SW trending strike-slip structure exposes conglomerates of the Rio São Miguel
faults forming a 5-km-wide zone, which affects the basement Formation that may occur in deformed areas. The SSSZ is a
20 Chapada dos Veadeiros: The Highest Landscapes in the Brazilian Central Plateau 225

Fig. 20.4 Veadeiros Plateau

aerial view of the Preto River
floodplain (a) and highlights
abandoned channels and oxbow
lakes (b)

regional structure that occurs to the east of the CVNP, along fault zones shows several deformation mechanisms, such as
the geologic contact between rocks of the Aurumina suite folding, distributed shear, and normal faulting. The postu-
and basal sediments of the Araí Group. This shear zone has lated faults coincide with the boundary of the plateau block,
dextral kinematics and strong subvertical foliation with N40- where deeply eroded bedrock exposures are observed. As
45E direction. In the field structures such as deformed described elsewhere, restraining bends are sites of topo-
feldspar augen, mica fish and shear bands can be observed. graphic uplift, crustal shortening, and exhumation of crys-
Mapping of these strike-slip fault zones reveals in plan talline basement (Mann and Gordon 1996; McClay and
view an elongated S-shaped feature (restraining bends), Bonora 2001). Within the bend, oblique deformation shows
which dominates topographic attributes (positive structures) accommodation by oblique-slip faulting or is partitioned into
within the region (Fig. 20.2). A strain gradient along both variable components of strike-slip fault displacements.
226 O.A. de Carvalho Júnior et al.

Fig. 20.5 Bedrock Preto River:

waterfall (a) and rock exposure in
channel bed showing joint and
fracture systems (b)

The geometry of the fault systems has strong implications permeability of bedrock causes hydromorphic environments
for the arrangement of basins and drainage patterns. The with prolonged periods of intermittent or continuous satu-
drainage density is directly related to the amount and ori- ration, where the flux of ground water occurs only laterally
entation of deformation (or strain) occurring in the trans- along fractures and bedding planes. The poor permeability
pressive zone. Drainage pattern in fault zones is trellis, with maintains the high water table and leads to the formation of
high-density drainage, where the tributaries enter the main hydromorphic soils, depleted in oxygen and organic material
river at approximately 60-degree angles. In the central part accumulation. The open herbaceous vegetation (moist grass)
of the bend, the drainage density is low and the relative grows on hydromorphic soils and is adapted to the condi-
shortening is expressed as synclinal and anticlinal open tions of soil saturation, favoring the accumulation and
folds, parallel to the restraining bend. DEM provides a view preservation of organic matter (Fig. 20.3a). In these water-
of spatial variations in topographic relief along the faults saturated soils, the streams are bordered by grassy marshes
zones. containing “buriti” palms (known as “veredas”) (Fig. 20.3b).
In the region of the park, four landscapes are most visited In the plateau, the Preto River shows meandering pattern
due to its scenic beauty: (a) Veadeiros Plateau; (b) Preto where the Gleysol banks are cut and eroded forming aban-
River in the region controlled by faults; (c) Scarp; and (d) doned channels. Figure 20.4 shows an oxbow lake (U-shape
Moon Valley. body of water) formed by rerouting of river course through
neck cutoff from the main stream to create a lake. Although
these characteristics typically occur when the river reaches a
20.3 Landforms low-lying plain, in the CVPN, these fluvial features occur in
elevated areas. An interesting feature of the Preto River is
20.3.1 Veadeiros Plateau the dark color of water due to low concentrations of sus-
pended matters and high content of organic acids.
The plateau surface is characterized by subhorizontal strata The boundary between dry upland savanna and moist
that determine the presence of a wide area with the same grasses is usually extremely sharp (Fig. 20.3b), but in some
type of rock and smooth topography. The geological struc- places, there are gradations. Vegetation associated with
tures are gentle folds of large extension. The bedrock con- quartzite outcrops is known as “campos rupestres” and
sists mainly of quartzites and metasiltstones that exhibit high “cerrados rupestres” (from Latin Rupestris meaning “rocky”)
resistance to physical and chemical weathering, generating and derives from the shallow, acidic, nutrient-poor, well-
shallow soils with low fertility. Furthermore, the low drained sandy soils (litholic soil) and shares several (usually
20 Chapada dos Veadeiros: The Highest Landscapes in the Brazilian Central Plateau 227

Fig. 20.6 Panoramic

photographs of the main
attractions along the Preto River:
Salto 1 (a) and Salto 2
(b) waterfalls

woody) plant species with the surrounding savannas. In rectangular and trellis drainage pattern. High density of
areas with rock outcrops, shrubs and trees usually do not drainage is accompanied by steep slopes. In this highly frac-
form a closed canopy. The relationship between vegetation, tured zone, bedrock rivers occur and are characterized by the
soil, and geomorphology is very striking in CVNP, where lack of continuous cover of alluvial sediments, forming chan-
campo cerrado covers the level plateau with hydromorphic nels with long stretches of rock exposures in the bed and along
soils and gives way to savanna in the plateau upland and the banks. Bedrock rivers are formed due to excess sediment
campos rupestres in the plateaus edges along the valleys transport capacity over the low rates of sediment supply from
dominated by rocky outcrops. slow physical and chemical weathering (Fig. 20.5).
Along the river, geomorphological highlights are abun-
dant such as waterfalls and canyons. The waterfalls are fre-
20.3.2 Preto River in Region Controlled by Faults quently controlled by the presence of intersections of
fractures and faults. The geometry of these diverse landforms
On the western edge of the park drainage, directions have a is largely attributed to tectonic features and erosion of the
strong structural control corresponding to stress field from the river along joints and major structural lineaments. In the wide
Serra de Santana Shear Zone with N40-45E direction. Runoff waterfalls, large amphitheaters are formed, suggesting pro-
takes place mainly along joint and fracture systems, forming a gressive lateral relocation of the river along the faults. Linear
228 O.A. de Carvalho Júnior et al.

Fig. 20.7 Panoramic views of

the escarpments in the Serra de
Santana Shear Zone (a) and
columnar pattern fashioned by
vertical fractures (b–d)

flows create narrow and deep canyons along fractures in length of above 60 km. The escarpment shows incipient
quartzite. Chaotic block accumulations are found at the foot piping from water infiltrating through the joint and bedding
of the waterfalls, in canyons, and in zones of steep slopes. planes. Differential erosion along fractures and bedding
Strong seasonal rainfall on impermeable rock causes flash planes in the scarp area creates walls separated by corridors
flooding marked by a greater quantity of surface runoff in a and towers. The towers have different shapes and sizes,
very short time. This extremely variable fluvial discharge wherein the width is limited by the spatial distribution of the
commonly produces high-magnitude floods in the short term joints and height is dependent on lithological resistance of
which are dangerous for tourists who are swimming or spend consecutive geological layers to erosion. Scarp retreat occurs
time near rivers. Generally, at the peak of the rainy season, by widening of fractures by chemical weathering of quartzite
the park closes because there is a risk flash flooding. cement, accompanied by mechanical removal of rock frag-
The most famous waterfalls along of the Preto River are ments and grains, causing the collapse and fall of large
Cariocas, Salto 1 and Salto 2. The Carioca falls are around blocks to the escarpment base. Toward the base, there are
12 m high and erode the base by abrasion, creating a plunge large accumulations of quartzite blocks (fallen from the top)
pool. Salto 1 and Salto 2 are the highest falls in the Preto and alluvial–colluvial fans due to the erosion of the upper
River with a vertical drop around of 80 and 120 m, parts of the scarp. The foothills are characterized by a dense
respectively (Fig. 20.6). These waterfalls are the last steps of savanna due to permanent humidity (Fig. 20.7).
Preto River in the descent from the plateau toward the To-
cantins basin floodplain. Another attraction are canyon 1 and
canyon 2 separated by 15 m high waterfall where the Preto 20.3.4 Moon Valley (Vale da Lua)
River carved a deep ravine between narrow cliffs.
On the eastern edge of the park, differential fluvial erosion
in conglomeratic rocks from the São Miguel Unit has
20.3.3 Escarpment generated natural sculptures in the rock, which belong to the
most remarkable natural features present in the CVNP. The
The quartzite beds of the Traíras Formation can be clearly São Miguel Unit is a guide basal layer of the Paranoá
seen along a remarkable fault escarpment. The elevation of Group, which has an erosive contact with the top of the
the scarps is of the order of hundreds of meters and with a Araí Group. In the São Miguel River, bedrock is
20 Chapada dos Veadeiros: The Highest Landscapes in the Brazilian Central Plateau 229

20.4 Conclusion

The first economic exploitation of the São Jorge Region was

the mining of quartz crystals in 1912. The main mining area
was called Garimpão de São Jorge. Due to the fluctuation of
crystal prices, there were periods of increased activity, such
as in 1940/1944, which drew about 2,000 people, and in
1960, when several mines were exploited: Estiva, Vaginha,
Pedrão, Areião, and again Garimpão. However, the signifi-
cant decline in mining caused re-allocation of economic
activities to tourism. The formation of the national park
consolidated tourist potential for the region, and old miners
have become economically dependent on tourism. Thus,
conservation-based tourism is currently the main activity in
the regional economic development.
Therefore, CVNP is one of the best preserved regions of the
Brazilian savanna, consisting a wildlife sanctuary with numerous
attractions: large plateaus, springs, bedrock rivers, canyons,
towers, and waterfalls. The regional morphology has developed
in the conditions of a strong tectonic control, responsible for
major topographic variation and the presence of a landscape of
great scenic beauty. For all these reasons, this natural area is one
of the most popular and visited by tourists in the BCP.

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