Sierra de Chuacús facts for kids

The Sierra de Chuacús is a mountain range located in the central highlands of Guatemala. It stretches from the department of El Quiché in the northwest to Baja Verapaz in the southeast. This mountain range is an important part of Guatemala's natural landscape.

Where is the Sierra de Chuacús?

The Sierra de Chuacús is surrounded by several natural features. To its northwest, the Chixoy River basin in Uspantán separates it from the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes mountains. On its eastern side, the Salamá River acts as a border, separating it from the Sierra de las Minas. Finally, the Motagua River valley marks its southeastern edge.

The main ridge of the Sierra de Chuacús runs along the border between the El Quiché and Baja Verapaz departments. This ridge is quite high, staying above 2,100 meters (about 6,890 feet) for more than 50 kilometers (about 31 miles). The highest point in the range reaches an elevation of 2,504 meters (about 8,215 feet).

How the Mountains Were Formed

The Sierra de Chuacús mountains were created by powerful forces deep within the Earth. They are located between two large cracks in the Earth's crust, known as the Motagua Fault and the Chixoy-Polochic Fault. These faults are like giant seams where different parts of the Earth's surface meet and move.

The formation of these mountains began a very long time ago, during a period called the Late Cretaceous period. This was when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth! Over millions of years, the movement of these large sections of the Earth's crust pushed and folded the land, slowly lifting it to form the tall peaks and ridges we see today.

See also

• Geography of Guatemala
• Guatemalan highlands

In Spanish: Sierra de Chuacús para niños